[Collection]
Ryuko-in Temple, Kyoto
[Description]
A gourd-shaped tea jar created by Shunkei.
[Dimensions and Weight]
・Height: Approx. 7.1 cm (2 sun 3 bu 5 rin)
・Body Diameter: Upper bulge approx. 3.5 cm (1 sun 1 bu 5 rin) / Lower bulge approx. 6.5 cm (2 sun 1 bu 5 rin)
・Mouth Diameter: approx. 2.7 cm (9 bu)
・Base Diameter: approx. 3.6 cm (1 sun 2 bu)
・Rim Height: approx. 0.3 cm (1 bu)
・Weight: approx. 67.9 g (18 monme 1 bu)
[Accessories]
・Lid: 1 piece (without the ivory lid fastener “kuwa”)
・Storage pouch: White habutae silk
・Carrying case: Black lacquer
・Pouch (cover): Tanned leather (with brown cord)
・Case: Unfinished paulownia wood box
(Inscription on the front of the lid reads “Shunkei Hyotan”; additional notes on the back and elsewhere read “Shunkei Hyotan”)
[Miscellaneous Notes]
From Meikiryoku:
The Shunkei Hyotan was owned by Venerable Kōgetsu Sōgan, the founder of Ryūkō-in at Daitoku-ji.
From Tekko Nikki (written by Sakai Gakudō Sōga):
On September 25, Tenmei 8 (1788), I went to visit Daitoku-ji and ascended to Zuigen-in around 10:30 a.m. Afterward, guided by the Chief Monk Ken, I toured the various temples within the mountain precincts.
At Ryukō-in, a tea ceremony was held with a hanging scroll by Mikan on display, and after the ceremony concluded, the following list of tea utensils was presented:
・Ido tea bowl
・Yōhen tenmoku
・Yūteki tenmoku
・Aogai tenmoku stand
・Sōyuki maru-tsubo
・Chikushi Bunrin
・Tsuru-kubi
・Shunkei hyōtan
・Hishi tray
・Uchi-aka tray
・Curved-rimmed tray
・Tea scoop by Sōyuki
12 items in total.
From Record of the Grand Tea Ceremony for the 300th Anniversary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi:
April 17, Meiji 31 (1898) – Grand Tea Ceremony for the 300th Anniversary of Lord Toyotomi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
Held at Kinkaku-ji Temple in northern Kyoto (hosted by the school of Kobori Sōshū, head of the Enshū School)
・Tokonoma: Statue of Toyokuni Daimyojin (Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi), painted by Lord Toyotomi Hideyori
・Tea caddy: Shunkei Gourd (famous piece)
(Inscription on the box unknown; pouch features a cloud-shaped design; tray is a rhombus-shaped curved-rimmed tray)
・Tea bowl: Ryuko-in Ido (famous piece)
[Provenance]
These items have been part of Ryukō-in’s collection (tea utensils) since the time of Priest Kōgetsu. During the Grand Tea Ceremony held in April of Meiji 31 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Lord Toyotomi’s death, the Kobori Sōshū School borrowed this tea caddy from Ryukō-in to conduct the tea ceremony. Currently, on loan from the temple, it is on display at the Kyoto Imperial Museum (now the Kyoto National Museum).
[Field Observation Record]
On May 16, Taisho 9 (1920), I observed this piece in person at Ryukoin Temple in Murasakino Daitokuji-cho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City.
The rim has no turned-in edge; the upper part of the gourd-shaped body is relatively small, with a deep constriction and a broad midsection. A single sunken ridge runs around the circumference.
A lustrous yellow glaze cascades down from the rim or the body over a “kaki-kane” color (a persimmon-colored hue containing iron), creating a pattern of profound beauty. The area below the rim reveals the white unglazed clay body, with five rows of wheel marks that have been chamfered. The base features very distinct swirl-shaped thread-cutting marks, and a single speck of persimmon-gold glaze is visible on the rim of the base. The black, cascading portion is slightly crinkled and somewhat thick, with an exceptionally beautiful luster.
Inside, the rim is covered with glaze; below that, shallow wheel marks run around the interior, and the center of the base forms a swirl pattern. This teapot is in perfect condition—with excellent form, a lustrous sheen, and not a single flaw.
