The origins of tea ceremony utensils: A thousand years of memories dwelling in silent vessels
The origins of tea ceremony utensils: A thousand years of memories dwelling in silent vessels
Tea utensils are not just tools.
It is the crystallization of aesthetic sense and spirituality that has been passed down through the ages.
It is a "vessel of silence" that shapes the universe of the tea ceremony.
The origins of tea ceremony utensils: Tea utensils originating from Buddhist altar implements
The history of tea ceremony utensils dates back to the Nara and Heian periods.
Initially, tea was brought from China by monks for Buddhist ceremonies.
The tea utensils used on the occasion were Chinese-made utensils known as Karamono, including intricate celadon porcelain and Tenmoku tea bowls.
These were primarily Buddhist implements and were used for rituals at the imperial court and temples.
Tea ceremony utensils were commonplace in this era, and were also highly valued as rare works of art.
The beginning of Japanese style: the birth of a uniquely Japanese aesthetic
From the Kamakura to Muromachi periods, the tea ceremony culture influenced by Zen Buddhism spread,
Tea ceremony utensils are increasingly evolving towards the "beauty of simplicity."
During this period, uniquely Japanese pottery began to appear.
Shigaraki ware, Seto ware, Karatsu ware, and other rustic and warm-feeling pottery are popular.
Along with admiration for Chinese goods, a Japanese aesthetic sense was also being cultivated.
Even with a single tea bowl, the unevenness of the firing and the flow of the glaze come to be loved as a ``scenery.''
It was the beginning of the spirit of "wabi-sabi," the beauty that resides in imperfection.
Sen no Rikyu and the Innovation of Tea Utensils: The Establishment of Wabi-cha
Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) brought about a revolution in the world of tea ceremony utensils.
He taught that the spirit of tea lies not in gorgeous Chinese wares, but in simple tableware.
Rikyu's favorite tea utensils include black Raku tea bowls, bamboo tea scoops, and simple water jars.
All of these embodied the "beauty of utility."
During this period, tea ceremony utensils were elevated from being infinite tools to being "vessels that convey ideas."
Rikyu's aesthetic sense extends to the arrangement of the tea room, the placement of the utensils, and even the manners of the tea ceremony.
Tea utensils have become a "mirror that reflects the heart."
The Types and Roles of Tea Ceremony Utensils: Serene Functional Beauty
There is a wide variety of tea ceremony utensils, including those used for the tea ceremony, decorative utensils, and utensils that represent the seasons.
Some representative tools are listed below.
Origins and characteristicsoftool names
Tea bowls:utensils for making matcha tea. Originally Chinese items, but after Rikyu, Japanese items such as Raku ware became mainstream.
Chashaku (tea scoop):A bamboo spoon used to scoop matcha. The famous chashaku is one that Rikyu carved himself.
Chasen (tea whisk):A tool used to whisk matcha.Made in Takayama (Nara Prefecture).
Tea caddy (chaile)A container for holding strong tea.Many of these are masterpieces from the Tang Dynasty, and some are inscribed with names.
Natsume (a type oftea container )Made of lacquerware, it is chosen according to the season and taste.
Mizusashi (water jars)comein a variety of colors, including ceramic, metal, and lacquerware, adding a touch of color to the scenery of the tea room.
Kensui:A quiet presence placed in front of the teapot todiscard the water used to rinse tea bowls.
These tools are selected according to the season and the style of the tea ceremony.
The placement and handling of the items also reflect the host's aesthetic sense and thoughtfulness.
The inscriptions on tea ceremony utensils: the stories that live in the vessels
Tea ceremony utensils are sometimes given a name.
This word expresses in one word the story, seasonal feeling, and emotion that is contained in the tool.
For example, tea bowls are given names such as "First Haze," "Sound of Snow," and "Mushin."
This is proof that the vessels are not the same objects, but rather poetic beings.
The inscription is born from the encounter between the tea master's sensibility and the tools.
It's as if the vessel is speaking to you - that is the charm of tea utensils.
Modern Tea Ceremony Utensils: Inheritance and Innovation
Even today, tea ceremony utensils continue to evolve.
Young artists are taking on new digital challenges using new materials and new forms, and passing on their work through recording.
Furthermore, the museum also exhibits tea ceremony utensils made overseas from around the world.
However, at its core is its true essence as a vessel that reflects the heart.
Tea ceremony utensils continue to be close to people's hearts throughout the ages.
Knowing the origins of tea utensils also means understanding the spirit of the tea ceremony.
The shape of the vessel, the material, the sound, the scent—all of these things quietly speak to you.