Tea scoop in the so informal style
This chashaku is crafted from bamboo in the informal (so) style. The maker has given this piece a dignified air, balancing the large node against the straight grooves and pointed tip.
View ArticleTeabowl, black raku-style
The rim of this well-balanced chawan exhibits the gozan or "five peaks" motif, which is frequently employed by Raku and raku-style potters. The dark color provides a particularly appealing ground for...
View ArticleTea scoop with cover
This chashaku, with its central node, is a classic example of the informal (so) style. It is accompanied by a silk brocade cover (fukuro) - part of a set of fabric covers (shifuku) designed for...
View ArticleTray
This square tray with notched corners has multiple functions. It may hold the caddy for thick tea (chaire) in certain temae (tea procedures) or it may be used to serve dry sweets (higaohi) during thin...
View ArticleTea whisk in formal (shin) style
This white bamboo chasen, with its sharply angled form, embodies one of several possible chasen shapes.
View ArticleRinse water container, Mishima style
This style of creating pattern thorough incising and impressing seals originated in Korea. When brought to Japan, the grid-like patterns reminded the Japanese of a famous calendar produced at a temple...
View ArticleRinse water container in bentwood
Bentwood rinse water containers are dampened before use and so have an association of coolness in summer. For that reason their use is often confined to thin tea procedures.
View ArticleKoshiguro water replacement pitcher
Koshiguro water replacement pitcher (mizutsugi) made of bronze-colored reddish on top and blackened on the lower half. Favored by tea master Sen Rikyu (1522-1591).
View ArticleWater replacement pitcher with Shunkei lacquer
When a cold water jar (mizusashi) sits on a utensil stand, it is left in the tearoom at the end of the temae. A water replacement pitcher is used to replenish the cold water jar at that time. The...
View ArticleThin fresh water jar in Shigaraki style
This shape of mizusashi or fresh water jar is used in a particular tea procedure known as nakaoki, which occurs only in the last few weeks of October. As the chill of winter approaches (by Japanese...
View ArticleThin fresh water jar
This shape of fresh water container (hosomizusashi) was devised to be used during the last two weeks of October. With the winter season beginnning in November, the narrow mouth and thin shape reduce...
View ArticleBlue and white Sometsuke fresh water jar
This fresh water container, in the style of Chinese ceramics, creates a strong sense of formality. The use of this fresh water jar would be limited to utensil stands (tana, nagaita, or daisu).
View ArticleBamboo tea whisk
Bamboo tea whisk (chasen) with 100 tines. This type of whisk with fine tines is suitable for use in usucha or thin tea.
View ArticleLid rest
Lid rest (futaoki) in the shape of a flower viewing lantern, evoking the romantic activity of cherry blossom viewing at night. Ceramic lid rests are used in conjunction with various types of utensil...
View ArticleCeramic lid rest
Ceramic lid rest (futaoki) with stylized pattern of pine trees. Ceramic lid rests are used in conjunction with various types of utensil stands, as they are considered to be more formal than bamboo lid...
View ArticleFloorboard for brazier
Koita are used to protect the floor under braziers (furo) made of bronze or ceramic. They also provide a strong visual element that anchors the furo arrangement. Though this koita is lacquered, the...
View ArticleCharcoal basket
Charcoal basket (sumitori) made in the style of a charcoal basket owned by Sen Rikyu. This style is known by the name of the original, Aburatake Sumitori. Literally meaning "oiled bamboo," aburatake is...
View ArticleAsh container for charcoal temae
Furo season ash container (haiki), in green raku glaze with gold highlights, for charcoal temae.
View ArticleAsh spoon
Furo season ash spoon (haisaji) made of bronze with handle wrapped in bamboo sheath. This style was known to have been favored by Sen Rikyu (1522-1591).
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