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...
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];
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.
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...
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...
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...