Hafu Kiln, Old Man’s Model Song, Revival Meibutsu
Accessories
Lids: Two (One Inner) Nest, Insai’s Work, Hikiya, Lathe Shop, Hiiragi Inscription, Kobori Enshu’s Brush
Cover: Four, Cover Box, Paulownia Unfinished Wood Inscription, Kobori Enshu’s Brush
Box: Paulownia, unpainted wood, inscription by Kobori Enshū
Tsuishu Lacquered Round Peony Square Tray
Accompanying Letter: From Murata Hamon to Utensil Merchant Katsube
Provenance
Kobori Enshū → Tsuchiya Sagami-no-kami → Itakura Ise-no-kami → Tsuchiya Sagami-no-kami → Fukuchiyama Domain Lord Kutsuki Iyo-no-kami → Fujita Family
Recorded
Kokin Meibutsu Ruiju (Collection of Famous Objects Through the Ages) / Meibutsu Ki (Record of Famous Objects) / Enshū Gosenshu Jūhachi-hin (Enshū’s Selected Eighteen Pieces) / Tsuchiya Kōchō (Tsuchiya Inventory) / Sōyūki (Record of Sōyū) / Compiler Unknown / Kyōhō 4th Year (1719) Memorandum / Tōto Chakai Ki Dai-yonshū Jō (Record of the Eastern Capital Tea Gathering, Fourth Collection, Volume 1) / Taishō Meiki Kankō (Taishō Era Masterpiece Guide)
Dimensions
Height: 6.9cm / Mouth Diameter: 5.0cm / Body Diameter: 6.7cm / Base Diameter: 4.2cm / Weight
This tea caddy has deep connections to the Osaka region. The author has occasionally seen it, and it is no wonder tea practitioners have passed down that it is a work from the Hafu kiln. The Hafu kiln is thought to have begun in the Muromachi period, succeeding the Kinkasan kiln.
Its wide mouth, low back, slightly tapered body, and angular base somewhat resemble an old man’s face, likely inspiring this name.
A tea-stained glaze covers the entire piece, with yellow glaze emerging from the rim and cascading down the front, vividly revealing its form.
The coarse clay appears around the base, and the natural thread-like cracks are seamlessly integrated, adding to the elegant charm of the piece. Four dust covers are included. Centered around a crimson ground with cloud patterns and Yamazaki-style cuts, four dust covers, likely designed in the Enshū style, are provided. Two replacement lids are included.
Inscription: Kobori Enshu’s brush
