Meibutsusu, a type of chukyo meibutsu
Biography
Son of Sen Shoan and grandson of Rikyu. He was also known as Jakujitosai, Okiou, and Kan’un.
He was 14 years old when Rikyu was executed in 1591. To avoid any family difficulties, he stayed at Daitoku-ji Temple, where he attended Zen meditation under Haruya Sōen, and became a kashoku (priest).
Sotan’s training during the period of Kashoku was the foundation of his practice, and he also attended Sei Gan, a Buddhist monk, and became a member of the tea ceremony and Zen school, especially emphasizing Rikyu’s wabi (quietness and purity) while reflecting on the downfall of his grandfather, Rikyu. He devoted himself to a simple life, which is called “Sotan the Beggar.
In 1648, at the age of seventy-one, he gave his house to his son, Echen Soza, and built a hermitage in the back of the house with a single tatami mat for tea. He died on December 19, 1658, at the age of 81.
Chashaku (tea scoop)
This chashaku is made of sesame with a wide width and thick handles. The oar-tip slanting to the left is one of the highlights of Sotan chashaku.
Tube
A shinogi-shaved grass cylinder with a hana-sei stamped on the mouth. This shinogi-shaping of the barrel began with Shoan and became a Sen family tradition. Hana Shofu, “Suspicion
Attachment
Inner box, black ikkanshitsu
With inscription “Shofu by Sotan, inscribed on the left side of the village” by Tsunezumuro
Inner box, paulownia wood
With calligraphy on the reverse side of the lid, “Shofu Murasame Nibon Uchisai Za Za” (seal) by Kakusosai Soza (Haraso), “Shofu Murasame Nibon Uchisai Za Za” by Zhu Soso Soken, “Shofu Chashyaku Saisai by Sotan”.
Outer box, Tame-nuri lacquer ware, with calligraphy in silver powder, by Genzousai Soza
With calligraphy by Nagata Shingetsu
Box with a certificate, By Ennosai Soshitsu
Letter of Assignment, By Gennasai Munemitsu, dated December 21, 1872
Postscript
Although this is an ordinary work with no highlights, Sotan’s spirit can be felt in it. The inscription “Shofu Murasame” comes from a chant. Originally, many of Sotan’s chashyaku inscriptions were based on chants or Zen words. Of the two pieces in the set, “Murasame” was burnt down in Edo (Chuko Meibutsu Ki).
Listed in
Chuko Meibutsu-ki (Sotan’s chashyaku, inscribed Shofu by Sen Sosa . Of the two, Shofu came from Sosa , while Murasame came from Ko Soshitsu and was burnt down in Edo.)
Chashyaku (tea ladle), one of the three hundred selections
Size
Chashaku
Length: 20.0 cm
Width 0.6-1.6 cm
Thickness 0.4cm
Cylinder
length 22.7cm
2.4cm in diameter
Collection
Fujita Museum of Art, Osaka
