Akagama, famous item
Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia, white wood, inscription by Sen’sō Sōshitsu
Outer box: Paulownia, white wood, inscription by Matsudaira Fumai
Provenance
Kyoto Kiyomizu Fujitaro—during the Kyowa era, purchased by Matsudaira Fumai
Catalog
Kokin Meibutsu Ruiyu, Kushinroku, Meiki Chaki Zue, Kanso Zatsuki, Fushimiya Kakusho, Oosaki-sama Goto Daisho Teikoku, Fumai-ko Chakai Ki, Taisho Meiki Kan
Dimensions: Height: 8.5 cm, Mouth diameter: 11.1–11.5 cm, Foot diameter: 4.8–50 cm, Same height: 0.7 cm, Weight: 390 g
The box inscription by Senzo reads “Muichimono” (Nothingness), likely a name given by Senzo himself. This name aptly captures the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the tea bowl, which embodies Rikyu’s aesthetic preferences.
The bowl has a thick, rounded body, with a slightly flared rim. From the waist to the foot, it has a swift, boat-like shape, yet it gradually becomes more rounded, giving the overall form a warm and tranquil feel, typical of Rikyu’s style.A thin glaze with a slightly translucent quality covers the red clay, allowing the red base to show through. The glaze surface is uneven, with white spots visible in places, particularly around the foot rim and where the glaze pools. The inner bottom is completely unglazed, revealing the red clay, which appears white at the edges. The foot rim is partially exposed, with the interior shaped like a swastika and five dots.
