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...
Fukusa are finely woven silk cloths designed for purifying tea utensils. The host folds and refolds the fukusa many times during the tea procedure (temae). This woman's fukusa is decorated with a pattern of green maple leaves on a pale green...
This fukusa is decorated with soft orange, white, and yellow stripes on a pink ground. Just as the fan (sensu) has come to represent the guest, the fukusa serves to signify the host's role in a tea gathering. The informality of decorated fukusa...
Kobukusa are small, square, silk cloths placed between tea utensils and the hand or floor. They are sometimes used to protect the hands from heat when a non raku-style teabowl (e.g., Hagi, Karatsu, Ido) is chosen for thick tea (koicha) service. ...
Fans (sensu) are used by guests at a tea gathering, especially when entering or exiting the tearoom, however, they are never opened or used to fan oneself. Men's sensu are slightly larger than those for women. The lacquered frame of this woman's...
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]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
The damask (donsu) fabric of this dashibukusa employs a stylized pine cone motif known as karamatsu (Chinese pine) over which an emblem of stylized wisteria leaves has been embroidered in gold thread. It was presented to Nakatani Sokiku in her...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]
This natsume is decorated in the clouds and brocade (unkin or kumonishiki) pattern, depicting cherry blossoms and maple leaves. The design suggests the passing of time, or the ephemeral nature of existence - a quality that takes the motif beyond...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This chawan for thin tea is decorated with vigorous white brushwork over a warm-toned glaze. The brushed pattern is known as hakeme, which originated in Korean pottery kilns. It was probably introduced to Japan through the acquisition of imported...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Shigaraki pottery [lcsh]
The solid, sturdy form and rustic appearance of this mizusashi is typical of the work of the Shigaraki kilns. Its massive appearance provides a strong visual anchor in the tearoom and its subdued color and feeling are appropriate for a wide variety...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
Kobukusa are small, square, silk cloths placed between tea utensils and the hand or floor. They are sometimes used to protect the hands from heat when a non raku-style teabowl (e.g., Hagi, Karatsu, Ido) is chosen for thick tea (koicha) service....
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]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
Kobukusa are small, square, silk cloths placed between tea utensils and the hand or floor. They are sometimes used to protect the hands from heat when a non raku-style teabowl (e.g., Hagi, Karatsu, Ido) is chosen for thick tea (koicha) service....
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...
This small red and black kogo was selected for use in chabako temae (outdoor tea procedures). The chabako kogo is used exclusively for the tsuki (moon) chabako, a unique tea procedure which is performed in the autumn. The style and color of this...
The chakinzutsu is a small tube that holds the dampened tea cloth (chakin) in outdoor tea procedures (chabako temae). It is decorated to match the container for dry sweets (furidashi), shown here in the background. The design of this chakinzutsu...