Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Trays -- Japan [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh];
This square try (yohoubon) is one of a smaller size used when a utensil, such as a thick tea caddy or an incense burner, is to be specially featured in a temae.
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...
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...
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...
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]
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...
Individual serving dishes used to serve moist sweets, or "omogashi." The plum blossom design may designate that they are intended to be used in January or February. However, the plum motif also has auspicious connotations so they could be used on...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]
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 pleasing pattern of the wood grain has been...
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 pleasing pattern of the wood grain has been...
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...
