Tang Dynasty Daimeibutsu
Accessories
Two lids, one inner lid without nest
Three covers, cover box, white paulownia wood, label
Hikiya, black lacquer
Wakasa tray
Box, paulownia wood, white wood, label, general box lid, lock, label on underside of lid
Provenance
Tokugawa Ieyasu – Sakai Masayoshi
List
Soai Higashiyama Den no Ki, written by Kusama Garaku, Meibutsu Zui, Tokugawa Gokiki, Kansei Shoshu Shokake, University of Tokyo Materials, Himeji Sakai Family Tree, Taisho Meiki Kan
Dimensions
Height: 8.8 cm, diameter: 2.9 cm, body diameter: 7.6 cm, bottom diameter: 3.3 cm, weight: 66 g
This item had been mentioned in the Sakai family’s collection catalog, and I had heard about it beforehand. After the war, I had the opportunity to see this tea caddy at a tea ceremony, and it left a deep impression on me.
The mouth is small, the shoulders are slightly wide, and the body tapers toward the bottom, giving it the appearance of a sour plum. The name “Bunrin” seems somewhat inappropriate, but it is treasured as a unique variation.
The glaze is well melted and covered with a tea-brown color, giving it a refined appearance. It is noteworthy that
even during the Higashiyama period, the members of the Dohshu group had already discovered the appeal of these tea caddies.
There are three replacement covers, but they are all matching, with Donshu, Kinran, and Kandou.
Genwa 2, February 2, at Sunpu Castle
Presented by Toshimitsu, Grand Master of the Imperial Household
Passed down by Tadao
Tea caddy, Meibutsu Bunrin, name: Suikou
Made in the first month of the year Bunsei 6
11th generation Masayoshi Sakai, Grand Master of the Imperial Household, Chamberlain Tadamitsu
