Takeno Jōō Tea Scoop and Case

2025.10.17
Takeno Jōō Tea Scoop and Case
Takeno Jōō Tea Scoop and Case
Accompanying Letter Box Inscription: Written by Matsudaira Fumai
Accompanying Letter Box Inscription: Written by Matsudaira Fumai
Accompanying Letter: Written by Rokkan-sai Sōan
I humbly submit this letter. I am deeply grateful to hear of your continued good health.
Regarding the Shōō tea scoop passed down in my family, I understand your desire for it and hereby present it. Please treasure it as a precious possession. I look forward to our next meeting. With deepest respect.
26th day of the 10th month　(Signature)
To Mr. Nakaguchi, Sen Sōan
Accompanying Letter: Written by Rokkan-sai Sōan
I humbly submit this letter. I am deeply grateful to hear of your continued good health.
Regarding the Shōō tea scoop passed down in my family, I understand your desire for it and hereby present it. Please treasure it as a precious possession. I look forward to our next meeting. With deepest respect.
26th day of the 10th month　(Signature)
To Mr. Nakaguchi, Sen Sōan
Inner Box: Paulownia Wood, White Lacquer, Inscription
Inner Box: Paulownia Wood, White Lacquer, Inscription
Inner Box Lid Lining: Paulownia Wood, White Lacquer, Inscription by Motohaku Sōtan
Inner Box Lid Lining: Paulownia Wood, White Lacquer, Inscription by Motohaku Sōtan
Outer Box Lid: Inscription by Kakukusai Gansō,
Outer Box Lid: Inscription by Kakukusai Gansō, Ikkansai Tea Scoop, Carved Name “Sōtan” on Tube, “Kyoku” (Highest Quality), ‘Sōshitsu’ (Imperial Household), “Sōshitsu Denrai” (Imperial Household Heirloom), Signature
Outer Box Lid: Inscription by Kakukusai Gansō,
Outer Box Lid: Inscription by Kakukusai Gansō, Ikkansai Tea Scoop, Carved Name “Sōtan” on Tube, “Kyoku” (Highest Quality), ‘Sōshitsu’ (Imperial Household), “Sōshitsu Denrai” (Imperial Household Heirloom), Signature

Ikkanshō carving, Tsutsumizōtan inscription, revived treasure

Brief Biography
His given name was Nakamura, commonly known as Shingorō. Born in Nara in 1501 (Bunki 1). His father was an orphan of the Takeda clan, living in Sakai and working with leather for armor.　In 1525, he went to Kyoto, studied waka poetry under Sanjō Nishinobutaka, and in 1530 was appointed Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, Governor of Inaba. He studied tea under Jūyaya Sōgo and Sōchin.
In 1532, he shaved his head, took the monk’s name Shōō, and devoted himself to tea.　In 1549 (Tenbun 18), at age 48, he received the lay Buddhist name Ikkan from the Great Forest Priest of Nanzō-ji Temple in Sakai. He built Daikoku-an hermitage next to his Kyoto residence, Shijō Ebidō. He passed away on October 29, 1555 (Kōji 1/Tenbun 24), aged 54.

Tea Scoop
The upper third is white bamboo, the lower seven parts are variegated charcoal bamboo. While it cannot be strictly called a Shōō tea scoop’s standard knot-stop design, the characters “Ikkan” are carved between the cut stop and the knot. This appears to be Shōō’s own handiwork.

Tube
An antique tube from Shōō’s era, bearing holes on both sides showing traces of the period’s stopper pins.
It is certain that later, Sōtan carved this old tube, adding his own mouth seal and the inscription “Ikansai-saku, Fushin” (Made by Ikansai, No Doubt). The deep ink application is also significant.

Accessories
Inner Box: Paulownia, unpainted
Inner Lid Inscription: Written by Genpaku Sōtan
Outer Box: Paulownia, unpainted, Inscription: Written by Kakukakusai Gansō
Inner Lid Inscription: Same handwriting
Accompanying note: Written by Rokkan-sai Sōan
Box inscription accompanying note: Written by Matsudaira Fumai
Recorded in: Unshū Collection Ledger (Written by Shōō, inscribed by Sōtan, outer box by Gansō, Fuyuki Kodōji, Fushimiya Jūmai)
Senke Meibutsu-ki (Shōō tea scoop, Motohaku tube, owned by Sen Sōan)
Three Hundred Selected Tea Scoops

Dimensions
Chashaku
Length: 20.6 cm
Width: 0.75–1.05 cm
Thickness: 0.25 cm
Hiki
Length: 21.6 cm
Diameter: 2.7 cm
Owner
Tokyo National Museum

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