Revival Treasure, Transmitted by the Kōnoike Family
Brief Biography
A native of Yamashiro, of the Sonobe clan, he took the name Ichimoku. A disciple of Shōrei Sōso, he attained enlightenment at Daitoku-ji in March of the twelfth year of Eiroku (1569), succeeding as the 112th abbot. He received the monastic name Rōgen Tenshin Zenji from Emperor Ōgimachi and the title Daibō Engan Kokushō from Emperor Go-Yōzei in December 1600 (Keichō 5). Founder of the San’gen-in school. He was the Zen master to whom many tea masters, including Furuta Oribe, Yabuuchi Kenchū, and Sen Sōtan, came for instruction. He passed away on the 9th day of the 2nd month in 1611 (Keichō 16), aged 83.
Tea Scoop
Made from exceptionally fine bamboo, polished to a lustrous sheen. Gentle lines drawn from the node upward and downward naturally accentuate the waist. Instantly conveys a sense of refinement.
Tube
A true tube with chamfered edges, inscribed in lacquer with “Made by Shun’yaku Sōen” in Shun’yaku Sōen’s handwriting.
Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia wood, natural finish. Same for the lid. Inside: Label, inscription by the ancient calligrapher Ryōchū.
Outer box: Paulownia wood, natural finish.
Front: “Meibutsu: National Teacher Engan’s Tea Scoop, with Sōtan’s Inscription.”
Back: “This tea scoop is a rare treasure passed down in the Kōnoike family. It is recorded in the three-volume Meibutsu-ki. However, the box inscription states ‘by Fujimura Yō,’ and the box itself is damaged. It was placed in a temporary box and brought out from the residence. We have since re-examined the matter.”
Attached scroll: Written by Motohaku Sōtan
Recorded in
Chūkō Meibutsu-ki (Spring House Monk’s Tea Scoop: Though it appears to be in a tube, it came from Daitoku-ji Temple’s Sanzen-in. Sōtan’s inscription. Box inscription by Yōken. Satsuma-ya Sōhaku)
Three Hundred Selected Tea Scoops
Dimensions
Tea Scoop
Length: 17.9cm
Width: 0.5–1.0cm
Thickness: 0.3cm
Tube
Length: 20.9cm
Width: 2.3cm
Accompanying scroll by Motohaku Sōtan
This morning, Your Grace graced us with your presence; I have just now paid my respects. Shunoku’s tea scoop
and its tube are both splendid. Your treasured
Is it possible? How are the three supports?
At that time, I was honored to be invited to play,
and was told it was an elder.
I hold it as an interesting tea scoop.
I humbly report this to Your Excellency.
With deepest respect
Frost, 26th day (Sōtan’s seal)
Uncertain
Genryōbashi, Reply, Tan
