Hachiman Meibutsu
Tea Scoop
The scoop’s tip is bent and curved, with a line that curves forward over the joint, giving it a strong, sturdy feel.
The bamboo’s grain, reminiscent of the “Blue Moss” inscription, features ample mottled patterns flowing from the top to the joint. The area around the joint shows insect damage, creating a truly splendid appearance.
Case
Fully shaved skin, with a beveled front face inscribed: “Me-taki Motofusa (Mushi) Chabo-shita, Sōhōshi.” The following verse is densely inscribed from the side to the back:
The Ise tales say moss is carved into patterns, But carving bamboo seems odd; Even crimson cannot match bamboo’s hue. If there’s no way to show my heart, I’ll simply express my gratitude with this single scroll.
Accessories
Replacement tube: Inscription “(Signature) Made by Kobori Enshu, Aoki”
Inner box: Paulownia, natural wood. Inscription by Shokado Shojo: “Small Enshu tea scoop, Aoki”
Outer box: Cypress, natural wood. Inscription: “Aogoke”
Inside lid: Inscription: “Teaspoon presented to Shōjō of Yōtoku-san by Kōenjū. Among Takimoto-bō’s possessions. Box lid front: Kōenjū tea scoop Aogoke. Authentic calligraphy by Shōjō of Shōkado.”
Accompanying letter: From Takimoto Kibō to Yagura Kyūemon
Postscript
In the seventy-eighth chapter of The Tales of Ise, when the Right General Fujiwara no Tsunekage presented a garden stone from Sen-Sen Beach in Kii Province to the Imperial Prince at Yamashina Palace, he had the people compose poems. The Umatō (Chief Steward of the Horse Department), who was present, inscribed on the maki-e (lacquer decoration) panel carved with green moss:
Even the crimson dye cannot show its color on the rock.
The meaning of the poem is: “Presenting this rock alone cannot satisfy me; at least let me show you the color of my heart carved into the moss.”
Enshū received a scroll from Shōkadō. In return, he wittily referenced the blue moss from The Tales of Ise, carving bamboo himself to create a tea scoop as a gift.
Recorded in
Takimoto-bo Meibutsu-ki (Enshū’s Blue Moss Tea Scoop, abridged)
Yagura Kura-chō (Blue Moss, made by Kobori Sōhō, passed down from Hachiman Takimoto-bo)
Three Hundred Selected Tea Scoops
Dimensions
Tea Scoop
Length: 18.1 cm
Width: 0.4–0.9 cm
Thickness: 0.3 cm
Tube
Length: 22.1 cm
Diameter: 2.4 cm
Owner
Tokyo, Hatakeyama Memorial Museum
Accompanying Letter: From Takimoto Kibō to Yagura Kyūemon
Regarding the Transfer Document
Includes a poem by Lord Enshū
One Chashaku: Inscription: Seigai (Green Moss)
Box inscription by Shōjōō
This tea scoop has been in our temple’s possession for generations.
However, due to your earnest request and our recent consultation,
it is now truly yours. As gratitude, we have received
a donation of seventy-five ryo.
Regarding this tea scoop, there are absolutely no other issues whatsoever.
Should any such claim arise,
this humble monk shall personally resolve the matter. As proof hereafter
The deed of transfer is as follows.
Transferor: Takimoto-bō (Seal)
Bunkayen, July, Year of the Ox Witness: Kitabō (Seal)
To Yagura Kyūemon-dono
