Transmitted by the Masuda Family
Tea Scoop
This is Enshū’s finest scoop, crafted from unusual bamboo. The layered, mountain-like mottled pattern above and below the nodes is particularly splendid. The inscription “Kuse Mai” (Whirling Dance) arose because the nodes themselves form a landscape. Moreover, this mottled pattern extends even to the underside of the nodes.
Case
Made from the same bamboo as the scoop, its jet-black skin is boldly carved with a grass-like pattern, evoking the sight of several white waterfalls cascading down a lush, dark summer mountain. Generally, Enshū cases made from black bamboo are masterpieces. The issue lies with the inscription. The signature at the mouth is undoubtedly Enshū’s, but the three characters “Kuse Mai” would be attributed to Enshū by anyone.
However, the ‘Enshū Collection Ledger’ states “written by Sōkei.” Sōkei was Enshū’s eldest son, Masayuki (originally Masanobu, later also Masatoshi).
Accessories
Box: Paulownia, natural wood. Inscription: “Kuse Mai” by Masuda Don’ō.
Postscript
It is disappointing that such a beautiful scoop lacks an inscription by Enshū himself. However, it is plausible that Enshū originally kept the scoops in the ‘Enshū Zōchō’ without inscriptions, intending to add them later when the opportunity arose. This “Kuse Mai” may well be one such uninscribed piece. In any case, the Zōchō record appears erroneous, and the view that it is an authentic Enshū work seems to be the prevailing opinion.
Source
Enshū Zōchō (Kuse Mai, by Kobori Sōkei) / Three Hundred Selected Chashaku
Dimensions
Chashaku
Length: 17.5 cm
Width: 0.7–1.0 cm
Thickness: 0.3 cm
Tube
Length: 22.1 cm
Diameter: 2.3 cm
