Chinese goods, Meibutsu
Accessories
Lid box, white paulownia wood, inscription by Matsudaira Fumai
Four covers
Hikake lid, carved inscription by Etsu no Osho
Hikake body, inscription by the same author (two cracks filled with silver coins)
Chinese goods, red lacquered square tray, tray box, white paulownia wood, inscription
Inner box: Paulownia wood, white wood, inscription by Kobori Enshu
Outer box: Paulownia wood, white wood, inscription by Matsudaira Fumai
Outer title box: Paulownia wood, white wood, inscription by Matsudaira Fumai
Braille inscription by Kōshō Priest
Provenance
Kobori Enshu Ichiabe Toyoharu—Ueda Sōgo—Matsudaira Fumai
Dimensions
Height: 6.3 cm Diameter: 3.2 cm Body diameter: 5.4 cm Bottom diameter: 2.6 cm Weight: 42 g
This tea caddy is a gem selected by Kobori Enshu as a Meibutsu (famous tea utensil).
Despite its small shoulders, it displays a powerful presence on the lower sides of the body, with a glaze reminiscent of Mount Fuji at the front, evoking the feeling of gazing at the mountain from afar. Enshu named it “Fuji” to praise this beauty. He recognized the ingenuity of the design and inscribed a poem by Kōgetsu Osho to further celebrate it.
The thread cut is vivid, and the clay has a good texture. I have seen it many times. Fortunately, it was passed down from Matsudaira Fumio to an art lover, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to see it at a tea ceremony.
There are four covers, all of which are rare items from the Meibutsu collection, and they are beautiful with the scenery of Mt. Fuji.
Carved inscription by Etsu Ho
There is heaven and earth in a pot
The mountains have changed from the old days
Snow flutters under the mill
The wind blows on the peak of Mt. Fuji
