Brief Biography
A disciple of Rikyū, he served as chief priest of Yamazaki Zen’en Hōji Temple. At Rikyū’s instruction, he built the tea room Tai-an on the temple grounds.
He received special favor from Hideyoshi, presenting tea and being granted forty koku of rice. He passed away on June 29, 1594 (Bunroku 3).
Tea Scoop
An exceptionally long genuine tea scoop, with a single groove running down the center and black sesame-like spots visible in places.
Case
A slender genuine case, inscribed at the bottom in Kōshū’s handwriting: “Myōki-an (signature seal).”
Accessories
Inner Box: Paulownia wood, unfinished, with a slatted lid.
Inside Lid: Label inscribed by Jushin-an Sosha:
“Myokian Tea Scoop with Tube, with Sōtan’s Inscription, Dingdingken (signature seal).”
Outer Box: Fir wood, unfinished.
Inside Lid: Label with inscription:
“Kōshū, resident of Kyōyama-san Hōji Temple, known as Myōki-an. Initially a disciple of Shōō, later a senior disciple of Rikyū. Presented tea to His Excellency the Taikō on various occasions. Possesses a sleeve print of pine.”
Accompanying note: Written by Motohaku Sōtan
Published in
Three Hundred Selected Tea Scoops
Dimensions
Tea Scoop
Length: 22.3 cm
Width: 0.45–0.9 cm
Thickness: 0.3 cm
Tube
Length: 24.0 cm
Diameter: 2.0 cm
Accompanying Note: Written by Motohaku Sōtan
Your esteemed letter is truly splendid.
We humbly offer our sincere gratitude and shall treasure it.
One tea scoop has been inspected; the cylinder mark is ours.
One cylinder scoop bearing the master’s mark.
One Myōki-an tea scoop is suitable.
Which should we present? How are you faring these days?
With deepest respect.
The 19th day (Sōtan’s seal)
