A great masterpiece. This is a tea caddy by Han. This tea caddy was passed down from generation to generation by Nara Matsuya Genzaburo from the Muromachi period (1336-1573). According to one record, it belonged to a tea master named Matsumoto Tama, and was later presented to Ashikaga Yoshimasa, hence the name Matsumoto Kashirazu. The nage-toukin, shiba, and matsumoto are three of the most famous kashirazu in Japan. The first two belonged to the Shogun’s family, and the Matsumoto owned by Matsuya was said to be the best in Japan for underground use. It is said that when Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide burned down Nara, he warned Matsuya to take out this famous tea caddy. According to the records of the Matsuya family, this tea caddy was presented to Emperor Reigen, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hidetada, and other lords. When Hosokawa Sansai saw it, he wore a long hakama, which made the owner of the tea ceremony embarrassed, but Matsumoto Hagihei Hachi Matsuya said that this was not a courtesy to the owner of the tea ceremony but to the famous tea utensil. Matsudaira Fumai also saw it again, and each time he wore a ceremonial dress. The second time, he piled up three Senryo boxes and made a request, but Matsuya finally did not agree. The letter of appreciation from Fumai remains to this day. The value of the tea caddy was somewhat lowered because it was shown to various lords and courtiers for a fee, but the scenery of this tea caddy is very complicated, and Sen no Rikyu, Furuta Oribe, and Kobori Enshu all disagreed on the shape of the caddy. The tea caddy has a very complicated view, and Sen no Rikyu, Furuta Oribe, and Kobori Enshu all disagreed on the shape of the caddy. At the end of the Edo period, it was sold to Osaka due to Matsuya’s non-possession. It is now in the collection of the Nezu Museum. (Taisho Meikikan)
