Kuro-raku, famous item
Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia, white wood, inscription by Motohaku Sōtan (sticker inscription attributed to Sen no Rikyu)
Same lid, inscription by Senso Sōshitsu
Cover, light yellow cloud dragon pattern, Junko
Accompanying document, Kakuzai Sōsaku
Dimensions
Height: 7.8 cm, mouth diameter: 11.1 cm, body diameter: 12.1 cm, foot diameter: 4.8 cm, same height: 0.6 cm, weight: 320 g
According to the accompanying “Tea Utensil Name Record: Shunkan,” the inscription “Shunkan” was given by Rikyu when he was commissioned by a disciple from Satsuma to procure three Nagajiro tea bowls. Among them, he selected one and returned the other two, requesting the inscription for this bowl. The name was chosen based on a historical anecdote.
It has a label written by Rikyu and a box inscription by Sōtan, making it a particularly authentic Nagajirō tea bowl. The rim is inwardly curved, showing variations in height, with a narrow waist and two flat surfaces. The interior is wide, with a shallow tea pool in the center.
Inside the high foot, a helmet-shaped protrusion stands out, the cut at the edge of the foot is deep, and there are three holes on the base. The glaze is well-fired and smooth. Overall, this is a piece that shows variation for a Nagajiro work.
The狂歌 (mad poem) by Senso, “Rikyu’s tools are all gone, one foot here, one foot there,” adds to the charm.
