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...
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]
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]
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]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh]; Shigaraki pottery [lcsh]
This shape of mizusashi or fresh water jar is used in a particular tea procedure known as nakaoki, which occurs only in the last few weeks of October. As the chill of winter approaches (by Japanese reckoning winter runs from November through...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This small and charming bowl was crafted by well known Kyoto potter, Kyuho, who often worked with the 14th generation Head Master of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea, Sekiso Tantansai Mugensai (1893-1964). The protective box for this teabowl has...
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...
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]; Trays -- Japan [lcsh];
This square tray with notched corners has multiple functions. It may hold the caddy for thick tea (chaire) in certain temae (tea procedures) or it may be used to serve dry sweets (higaohi) during thin tea. The textured vermillian lacquer surface...
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Drinking vessels [lcsh]
This summer bowl for thin tea bears painted motifs typical of the Kyoto pottery kilns laid over a soft white body glaze. The design, with its colorful floral motifs, suggests the movement of seasons.
Japanese tea ceremony [lcsh]; Trays -- Japan [lcsh]; Tea making paraphernalia [lcsh];
Trade made for serving higashi, the pressed sweets for thin tea. Its wooden box has a larger inscription ZUIUN (Auspicious Clouds) and the signature of the renowned Kyoto lacquer studio Zohiko.
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...
