Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
Tetsubin are small iron kettles with an integral handle that can be used in a variety of more informal tea procedures. Rather than using a ladle (hishaku) to pour the hot water into the teabowl, the host lifts and pours water directly from the...
Tenmoku teabowls (chawans) - either historical Chinese (karamono) originals or those modeled on them - usually rest on a lacquer stand, either formal black shin nuri as shown here or in a more decorative style. This is partly because they have a...
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 an old name for smoked bamboo from which the...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh];
Stand for water ladle and fire tongs (shakutate) in green raku glaze with highlights in gold, to be used with the formal setting of utensils on a daisu or nagaita utensil stand.
These covered lacquer bowls are generally used for the nimono, or main course of the formal kaiseki meal, though they may also be used for the soup course of the tenshin repast, a lighter, more informal meal. The nimono course, also known as...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]
This middle-sized ( chu) natsume, in the formal (shin-nuri) style, is a classic example of the genre. Here, the natsume is paired with an otsubukuro - a small silk bag shaped like those formerly used for rice from Otsu intended for the imperial...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]
The distinctive koma design used for this natsume is of Southeast Asian origin. The design has a long history of use in Japan. The Japanese name for the pattern likens it to a spinning top.
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]
This natsume features a design of bush clover (hagi) and pampas grass (suzuki) that suggests the autumn season. They are two of the seven autumn grasses. Maki-e.
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]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]
This small-sized (ko-hira) natsume was often used by its owner for chabako temae and is decorated with a wild orchid motif. It is very skillfully made, representing many hours of work on the part of the craftsperson. The natsume is accompanied here...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea caddies [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
Unkin literally means "clouds and brocade." This phrase likens cherry blossoms to clouds and colored maples leaves to brocade. Elements of another much loved motif, hana ikada or flowers drifting downstream on a raft, also appear. Both these motifs...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; tea caddies [lcsh]
The 14th generation Urasenke master Tantansai (1893-1964) designed this unlacquered nakatsugi of mulberry wood to be used by students studying the wakin temae. The wakin temae, created by 11th generation Urasanke master Gengensai (1810-1877),...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
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).
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
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 Katakuchi shape of this piece is more commonly...
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]
The use of bentwood (magemono) for this finely crafted mizusashi is understood to embody a "fading to nothing" - the notion that the container is effectively invisible. Magemono mizusashi are used with utensils of Chinese origin or Japanese wares...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
The "ears" on this fine mizusashi are fashioned in the shape of shrimp, which suggest a congratulatory theme. The work exhibits pleasing ash marks from the firing and the rich, toffee-colored (amegusuri) glaze which is a special attribute of the...
