Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
This unlacquered paulownia box is designed to hold both a ceramic caddy for thick tea (chaire) and lacquered caddy for thick tea (natsume) for the satsubako tea procedure (temae), one of a set of four orally transmitted temae. When a guest...
Used for serving a single fresh moist sweet (namagashi) to a guest, this plate employs a colorful blue motif depicting flower-viewing dumplings (hanami-dango). These skewered, steamed rice dumplings are common during Kyoto's Miyako-odori, a dance...
Used for serving a single fresh moist sweet (namagashi) to a guest, this plate employs a colorful green motif depicting flower-viewing dumplings (hanami-dango). These skewered, steamed rice dumplings are common during Kyoto's Miyako-odori, a dance...
Chopsticks such as these are typically offered with a serving dish, providing a means for guests to transfer the food to their bowls during the formal kaiseki meal. The chopsticks are usually soaked in water beforehand to prevent foods from...
This square ceramic dish is perfectly suited for a serving dish during the kaiseki meal that accompanies a formal tea gathering (chaji). Fashioned in the Oribe style, with its distinctive green glaze and bold designs, it depicts a single flower in...
These trays are designed for tenshin, a light repast served in place of the formal kaiseki meal. Tenshin is served during less formal tea gatherings or those with many guests, presenting in one course essentially the same foods as the formal...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This example of Kyoto-style painted pottery bears the tsunagi shippo mon, a motif that makes reference to the seven jewels, a geometric motif that arose from Buddhism. The bowl is suitable for preparing thin tea and, as the pattern is without...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This chawan is a classic example of Zeze ware originating from the Kagero-en kiln. The waisted shape is relatively formal, and the piece has been decorated with an abstract brown, black and yellow glaze typical of the genre. Zeze is known as one of...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Implements, utensils, etc. [lcsh]
When transporting utensils to the site of an outdoor tea gathering, the tea whisk (chasen) is stored in a lacquered wooden sheath (chasenzutsu) inside of the tea utensil box (chabako). It is removed from the sheath during the tea procedure and used...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This chawan incorporates a motif known as pine arabesque (matsu karakusa) that emerges just above the foot of the bowl and continues up and over the lip. It is designed for thin tea. Kyoto ware (Kyo-yaki)
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
The classic, understated design and subdued color of this vessel complements its humble function. The shape of this kensui is called efugo, named after a similar container designed for feeding hawks. Though kensui are also crafted of ceramic or...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]; Raku pottery [lcsh]
Raku-style chawan generally feature either red or black glazes. This piece, crafted by Waraku, is an excellent example of the red raku style. Red raku ware (akaraku).
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Implements, utensils, etc. [lcsh];
The yoji, a pick for eating moist sweets, is one of the standard items a guest brings to the tearoom. Here, the yoji is sheathed in a slipcase in gold brocade (kinran) fabric decorated with a pattern incorporating plum, tortoise shell, and bamboo...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]; Raku pottery [lcsh]
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 the intense green of the tea. The heavy walls...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
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 the guests' impression of cold water, while the...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
A teabowl with a simple appeal that will blend harmoniously with other, more decorated utensils. Over years of use, glazes such as this will develop subtle changes that deepen their appeal even further.
