Height 24.0 cm, mouth diameter 7.8 x 8.5 cm, bottom diameter 7.5 x 8.7 cm
This vase, which is said to have belonged to Rikyu, is of an extremely rare form. It is triangular in shape with windows on the top two sides. It is similar in style to the bamboo vases favored by Rikyu, but the two windows on the top two sides show the artist’s unique creativity. The surface of the surface is similar to that of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and lacks scenery, with the entire surface burnished black. The box indicates that this vase was in the possession of Rikyu, and it is probably Rikyu’s favorite.
The first time a Bizen ware vase appears in a tea ceremony record is on December 24, 10 Eiroku year, and it is recorded in the “Diary of Sosho Tsuda and Tea Ceremony” as being at a tea ceremony held by Rikyu. Although it is not clear what kind of flower vase was used for the tea ceremony, it is likely that something quite artificial had already been fired during Rikyu’s reign, as evidenced by the “broken bucket water jar” in Rikyu’s possession. This vase is a valuable document that tells of such a history.
