Tea Ceremony: An Elegant Pursuit of the Samurai Lords
Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) and Tea Ceremony Utensils of the Owari Tokugawa Lords
Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony)
Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) refers to the practice of drinking powdered green tea, which developed into an art form in Japan. The custom of tea drinking was introduced from China to Japan in the early 9th century, and became formalized in the 16th century. In the Edo period, participation in chanoyu became crucial to a daimyo (samurai lords)'s social standing.
Tea Leaf Jar, named Shōka (Pine Flower) (China, Southern Song-Yuan dynasties, 13-14th c.) by ChinaThe Tokugawa Art Museum
At the end of 16th century, powerful warlords like Tokugawa Ieyasu collected famous tea utensils, like Tea Containers, Tea Bowls, Tea Leaf Jars, Kettles, Incense Burners, as prized possessions.
Tea leaf jar was one of the most prized tea implement.
This tea leaf jar, named "shoka", was owned by Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three sovereign lords.
Celadon Incense Burner, named Chidori (Plover) (China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th c.) by Longquan kilns, ChinaThe Tokugawa Art Museum
In the Edo period, participation in Tea Ceremony became crucial to a Daimyo's social standing. Samurai Lords held tea gatherings for both official and private receptions.
The famed tea utensils were used for the Shogun's formal visit "onari." This incense burner, named "chidori" was used at onari of the second shogun Iemitsu, and other shoguns.
Tea Bowl, Yuteki (oilspot) Tenmoku type, known as Hoshi-Kensan (Star-patterned tea bowl) (China, Southern Song dynasty, 12-13th c.) by Jianzhan Kilns, ChinaThe Tokugawa Art Museum
Bowls for powdered green tea in Japan are largely categorized by country of origin: "karamono" for Chinese bowls, "koraimono" for Korean bowls, and "wamono" for Japanese bowls.
The quintessential Chinese tea bowl, "tenmoku" was the most esteemed type of bowl especially until the late Muromachi period, after which time Japanese aesthetics changed.
After that, tenmoku tea bowl, as the most formal and famed tea utensils, were displayed in the reception rooms.
Poem (Waka) Written on Shikishi Paper, known as Ogura-shikishi (Kamakura period, 13th c.) by Traditionally attributed to Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241)The Tokugawa Art Museum
Calligraphic works mounted on hanging scrolls were also prized by practitioners of tea as a central piece to be displayed in the alcove of Tea Rooms.
Exhibit created by the Tokugawa Art Museum .
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