Foreign objects
Box, paulownia wood with inscription
Provenance
Kawamura Denbei (Uso) of the Edo Jūnin-shū (Ten Masters of Edo) — Umakoshi Kasei
Listed
Famous Tea Utensils Catalog, Tea Utensils Catalog, Tea Utensils Collection, Tea Bowl Catalog, Tokyo Tea Ceremony Record Volume 1, Taisho Tea Ceremony Record, Taisho Famous Utensils Catalog
Dimensions
Height: 6.0–6.5 cm, Mouth diameter: 16.4–16.9 cm, Foot diameter: 5.3 cm, Same height: 0.8 cm, Weight: 320 g
The name “Zangetsu” (Crescent Moon) was given because the blue and loquat-colored patterns on one side resemble the crescent moon hanging in the dawn sky. It was originally owned by Kawamura Uso, one of the Edo Ten, and is also known as Kawamura Soba.
Soba often features a blue well pattern, and the character for “soba” was applied to the side to signify its association with the well. However, the “Zangetsu” is considered the finest example of this style. It has a distinctive shape, with a slightly curved rim, a wide, deeply concave tea-holding area, and a stepped base. The mouth is open and shallow, typical of a flat tea bowl.The sand-mixed clay body alternates on one side, enhancing the tea aesthetic, and the five eyes on the interior add to its charm. The high foot is unglazed, with the tatami mat pattern visible, creating a scenic element, and the sturdy handle enhances the tea flavor.
