Also known as: Kiba Saru, Karamono, Daimeibutsu
Accessories
Lid 4: Wooden lid with half-clear design, Rikyu’s favorite, wooden lid with carved design, Aoyama’s favorite, body with stamped design by Insai, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stamped design by Insai, Enshu’s favorite, lid without color, stampBox: Black lacquered, Senbiki Saru gold lacquered, interior gold pear wood, lid lacquered, center short strip shape, Masamune favorite
Transmission
Sen no Rikyu, Tokugawa family, Date Masamune, Masuya Heiemon, Iwasaki family
Listed
Higashiyama Imperial Collection, Meibutsu-ki, Komon Meibutsu-ki, Matsuya Notes, Sakurayama Ichiyu Notes, Imai Sokyu Diary, Meisho Genroku, Tokugawa Gokiki, Taisho Meiki Kan.
Dimensions
Height: 5.5 cm, diameter: 2.5 cm, body diameter: 6.1 cm, bottom diameter: 2.9 cm, weight: 65 g
Owner
Tokyo, Seikado
This tea caddy is the kind that Rikyu would have liked. The shape is reminiscent of a bowl of rice, as described in Zen temples, and the inscription is typical of Rikyu. The name “Kiba Saru” refers to a small monkey playing in the trees. Its small, cute shape was popular among tea connoisseurs.
The persimmon glaze is thin and yellowish, with a double layer of glaze that stops below the waist, resembling the shape of a crouching monkey. The lack of heaviness adds elegance, giving it a refined appearance that would have been appreciated by tea masters who valued simplicity.It has been in the Seikado collection since the early Meiji period and had not been displayed at tea ceremonies until recently, when it was finally made available for viewing. It comes with five covers, all of which are Meibutsu-style and exude a sense of modesty.
Inscription by Kobori Gonshiro
