Japanese tea utensils
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![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Utensiles_pour_la_c%C3%A9r%C3%A9monie_du_th%C3%A9.jpg/220px-Utensiles_pour_la_c%C3%A9r%C3%A9monie_du_th%C3%A9.jpg)
Tea utensils (
Tea utensils can be divided into five major categories:
- sōshoku dōgu (
装飾 道具 , 'decorative items') - temae dōgu (
点前 道具 , 'items for the tea-making service') - kaiseki dōgu (
懐石 道具 , 'items for the chakaiseku meal') - mizuya dōgu (
水屋 道具 , 'items used in the preparation room') - machiai dōgu/roji dōgu (
待合 道具 /露地 道具 , 'items for the waiting room'/'items for the garden')[1]
A wide range of utensils, known collectively as dōgu, is necessary for even the most basic tea ceremony. Generally, items which guests prepare themselves with for attending a chanoyu gathering are not considered chadōgu; rather, the term fundamentally applies to items involved to "host" a chanoyu gathering. This article, however, includes all forms of implements and paraphernalia involved in the practice of chanoyu.
High-end utensils are cherished, well preserved and documented and serve as historical artifacts. The honorary title Senke Jusshoku is given to the ten artisans that provide the utensils for the events held by the three primary iemoto Schools of Japanese tea known as the san-senke.[2]
Utensils used for sencha are different, using a usually five-piece set of small cups, a small pot and a small cup to pour hot water. These utensils are typically ceramic.
Boxes
[edit]In Japan, cherished items are customarily stored in purpose-made wooden boxes. Valuable items for tea ceremony are usually stored in such a box, and in some cases, if the item has a long and distinguished history, several layers of boxes: an inner storage box (uchibako), middle storage box (nakabako), and outer storage box (sotobako).
The storage boxes for tea implements are not tea equipment in themselves, but still hold importance in the practice of chanoyu, as the boxes used for particularly old and distinguished objects often feature inscriptions which serve to validate their history and provenance.
Chabako
[edit]Chabako (
The "rikyū model", made of plain paulownia wood, comes in a large size and a small size. The interior dimensions of the large version are slightly smaller than 19 centimetres (7.5 in) in length, 13 centimetres (5.1 in) in width, and 11.5 centimetres (4.5 in) in height. Rikyū-model chabako also feature an internal shelf.
Originally, there were no rules for the tea-making procedure (temae). However, the 11th-generation head of the Urasenke school of tea created certain types of procedures.[3] For the procedures, the box is carried into the place where the tea is to be made, sometimes on a tray, and the ceremony proceeds with each item being removed from, and finally returned to, the box.
Tea boxes are made of wood, and may be lacquered and decorated, or left untreated. There are similar portable tea-making sets called chakago (
Charcoal-related items
[edit]Ash
[edit]Ash, known as hai (
In tea ceremony, ash serves as a protective bed for the charcoal fire. Great care is given to the quality and appearance of the ash, and there are different kinds of ash for different purposes. They include the following:
- Fujibai (
藤 灰 , lit. 'wisteria ash') – used as "sprinkling ash" (蒔灰, makibai) to decorate the sculpted ash in a brazier. It is a beautiful, smooth white ash produced by burning wisteria bean pods. - Fukusabai (ふくさ
灰 , lit. 'silky ash') – a dry ash specially prepared to have a smooth texture free from visible impurities. This is the main kind of ash used in portable braziers. - Hishibai (
菱 灰 , lit. 'caltrop ash') – produced by burning the shells of water caltrops. It is a smooth reddish-brown ash mainly used in the container for the lighter fire in the smoking set. - Shimeshibai (
湿 灰 , lit. 'moist ash') – the slightly damp ash used in the sunken hearth. - Warabai (
藁灰 , lit. 'straw ash') – sticks of roasted straw. The black warabai is neatly arranged on top of the ash in the brazier. This is reserved for the final days of the brazier season and the use, at that time, of a worn-looking metal brazier (yatsureburo). Warabai is also used in hand warmers (teaburi) and hibachi.
Ash container
[edit]Haiki (
Ash spoon
[edit]The haisaji (
Charcoal
[edit]Sumi (
In addition, a unique kind of charcoal called eda-zumi (
Charcoal container
[edit]The sumitori (
Charcoal carrier
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Sumitsugi.jpg/220px-Sumitsugi.jpg)
Hakosumitori (
Charcoal starter
[edit]Feather brooms
[edit]Habōki (
Hibashi
[edit]Hibashi (
Incense container
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Ogata_Kenzan_-_Incense_Box_-_Walters_49354_-_Closed.jpg/220px-Ogata_Kenzan_-_Incense_Box_-_Walters_49354_-_Closed.jpg)
Kōgō (
Cloth items
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Tea_ceremony_sarasa.png/220px-Tea_ceremony_sarasa.png)
Chakin
[edit]A chakin (
Dashibukusa
[edit]A dashibukusa (
Fukusa
[edit]A fukusa (帛紗) is a double layer silk cloth approximately 30 centimetres (12 in) square, with a fold on one edge and the other three edges sewn together so the stitching is invisible. It is used for the symbolic cleansing of the tea scoop and tea caddy, and (usually by women) to handle hot kettle or pot lids. The host and assistants at a tea gathering wear the fukusa tucked into the obi.
By tradition, the host of a formal tea ceremony uses a new, previously unused fukusa. Fukusa are most often monochromatic and unpatterned, but variations exist. There are different colours for men (usually purple) and women (orange or red), for people of different ages or skill levels, for different ceremonies and for different schools. The size and way of making fukusa was purportedly established by Sen Sōon, Sen no Rikyū's second wife.
Fukusabasami
[edit]Fukusabasami are rectangular wallets in many cases shaped like a traditional envelope, with a flap that closes the wallet. They are used to carry personal items needed to participate in tea ceremony or tea practice, such as kaishi paper, a pick for cutting and eating sweets, a kobukusa, a fukusa, and a fan. There are two sizes of fukusabasami corresponding to the two sizes of kaishi paper: a smaller one for women, and a larger one for men. Men's fukusabasami are generally less ornate and brightly coloured than women's, but this is not always the case.
Kobukusa
[edit]A kobukusa (
Shifuku
[edit]Shifuku (
Furniture
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Y%C5%8Dsh%C5%AB_Chikanobu_Cha_no_yu.jpg/220px-Y%C5%8Dsh%C5%AB_Chikanobu_Cha_no_yu.jpg)
Daisu
[edit]The daisu (
Nagaita
[edit]A nagaita (
Shikiita
[edit]Shikiita (
Tana
[edit]Tana (
Tana are made of various types of wood, the most formal style finished in highly polished black lacquer. Some tana include drawers or shelves enclosed by sliding doors. Tea utensils may be placed onto/into the tana before the start of a ceremony and/or at the end. Tana are used only tea rooms of 4.5 tatami mats or larger.
Hearths
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Isome-shi_Garden18n4592.jpg/220px-Isome-shi_Garden18n4592.jpg)
Binkake
[edit]Binkake (
Furo
[edit]Furo (
Ro
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Ro_and_Kama.jpg/220px-Ro_and_Kama.jpg)
Ro (
Okiro
[edit]An okiro is a portable ro that is set on the floor and is used in circumstances when the room does not have a ro that can be used.
Kaiseki-related items
[edit]Choshi or kannabe
[edit]A choshi or kannabe is a kettle resembling a teapot used for warming and serving sake. They are made of iron, tin or pottery.
Kakemono
[edit]Kakemono (
Karamono
[edit]Karamono (
Kōraimono
[edit]Kōraimono (
Kuniyakimono
[edit]Kuniyakimono (
Miscellaneous items
[edit]Chakindarai
[edit]A chakindarai is a relatively small bowl, usually made of copper, used for rinsing and washing chakin. It is kept on the bamboo sink-covering in the mizuya.
Chasen kusenaoshi
[edit]A chasen kusenaoshi is a shaper for bamboo whisks. Kusenaoshi are made from wood or ceramic; a wet whisk is placed on the shaper and allowed to dry, restoring its shape. This item is used in the mizuya back room, and is not seen in the tea room.
Folding fan
[edit]Sensu (
If the circumstance involves being seated on the floor, the closed fan is placed on the floor in front of the knees, leaving enough space in between to place the hands for the attendant bow. If the circumstance involves being in a standing position, the closed fan is held in the right hand, against the front of the right thigh, paired with the left hand which is held against the front of the left thigh, for the standing bow. The fan is normally tucked in the obi, to be available for instant use when required.
Futaoki
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Aichi_Prefectural_Ceramic_Museum_2018_%28015%29.jpg/220px-Aichi_Prefectural_Ceramic_Museum_2018_%28015%29.jpg)
Futaoki (
There is a group of seven kinds of futaoki lid rests that are attributed to Sen no Rikyu (Rikyu no nanashu no futaoki).[6][7] They are:
- Hoyakoro (censer)
- Gotoku (five virtues tripod)
- Ikkanjin (iddle person at well)
- Mitsuningyo (
三 人形 , three dolls in Chinese style) - Sazae (turban shell)
- Kani (crab)
- Mitsuba (tree leaves)
Gotoku
[edit]Gotoku (
Hanaire
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Double-cut_%28Nij%C5%AB-giri%29_Flower_Container_%28Hanaire%29%2C_named_Cool_Summer_Morning_%28Shinry%C5%8D%29_MET_DP-19669-001.jpg/170px-Double-cut_%28Nij%C5%AB-giri%29_Flower_Container_%28Hanaire%29%2C_named_Cool_Summer_Morning_%28Shinry%C5%8D%29_MET_DP-19669-001.jpg)
Flowers, together with their containers, are an important element of the decorations for the tea ceremony. The flowers arranged in the simple "thrown-in" (nageire) manner suitable for tea ceremony are called chabana (
Incense
[edit]Kaishi
[edit]Kaishi (
Kamashiki
[edit]Kamashiki (
Kamasue
[edit]Kensui
[edit]Kensui (
Kintō
[edit]Kintō (
Screens
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Japanese_traditional_style_interior_design_II%3B_%E5%92%8C%E9%A2%A8%E5%BB%BA%E7%AF%89%28%E3%82%8F%E3%81%B5%E3%81%86%E3%81%91%E3%82%93%E3%81%A1%E3%81%8F%29%E3%81%AE%E5%86%85%E8%A3%85%28%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%9D%E3%81%86%29.jpg/220px-Japanese_traditional_style_interior_design_II%3B_%E5%92%8C%E9%A2%A8%E5%BB%BA%E7%AF%89%28%E3%82%8F%E3%81%B5%E3%81%86%E3%81%91%E3%82%93%E3%81%A1%E3%81%8F%29%E3%81%AE%E5%86%85%E8%A3%85%28%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%9D%E3%81%86%29.jpg)
- Furosaki byōbu (
風炉 先 屏風 , lit. 'folding screen before the brazier') (sometimes shortened to furosaki). A relatively low folding screen of two panels, which is set in the corner at the head end of the tea-making tatami in cases when the tea-making is done in a room larger than 4.5 tatami in floor space. - Kekkai (
結界 , lit. 'boundary marker'). A low fence-like device set at the head end of the tea-making tatami in cases when the tea-making is done in a room larger than 4.5 tatami in floor space or in an open area such as outdoors.
Pots
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Hanging_kettle_in_Japan.jpg/220px-Hanging_kettle_in_Japan.jpg)
Kama
[edit]Kama (
Tetsubin
[edit]Tetsubin (
Shimamono
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Annan_chawan_02_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Annan_chawan_02_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Shimamono is a generic term for tea utensils produced outside Japan, Korea and China.
- Ruson (
呂 宋 ): items from the Philippines (Luzon) - Annan (
安 南 ): items from Vietnam - Nanban (
南蛮 ): items from Southeast Asia- Hannera (ハンネラ): a type of simple unglazed ware from Southeast Asia
- Kinma (蒟醤): a style of lacquer ware that entered Japan from Thailand
- Sahari (
砂 張 ): an alloy of copper, lead, and tin. Some sahari items entered Japan from Southeast Asia.
Smoking equipment
[edit]- Tabakobon (
煙草 盆 , lit. 'tobacco tray'), the tray or box for the smoking set that the host provides the guests in the waiting room, at the waiting arbor, and in the tea room at the time of the "thin tea" service (usucha temae). - Hiire (
火入 , lit. 'fire container'), a container for the lit charcoal that serves as the lighter. Usually made of ceramic. The tabakobon holds this hiire. - Haifuki (
灰吹 ), a bamboo tube that serves as the ash receptacle. The tabakobon holds this haifuki. - Kiseru (
煙管 ), a long-stemmed smoking pipe. The host provides this with the tabakobon.
Sweet-related items
[edit]Fuchidaka
[edit]Fuchidaka Omogashi (
Yōji
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Powderedgreentea.jpg/220px-Powderedgreentea.jpg)
A yōji (
Tea bowls
[edit]Chawan (
Tea containers
[edit]Tea containers refers to the small lidded caddies that are used to hold the powdered green tea (matcha) for the tea-making procedure (temae) in chanoyu.
The term chaki (
All tea containers for usucha may be called usucha-ki. Usucha-ki usually are of lacquered or plain wood, although not necessarily so. Commonly they are of a variety of shape called natsume, and so all usucha-ki tend to be loosely referred to as natsume. Natsume and other forms of usucha-ki are classified by size or shape.
The ceramic caddies usually used to hold the powdered green tea for the procedure to make koicha (thick tea) are basically referred to as chaire (
Tea scoops
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Asian_Art_Museum_SF_2006.3.589.jpg/220px-Asian_Art_Museum_SF_2006.3.589.jpg)
Chashaku (
Typically, tea scoops are made of a narrow, thin piece of bamboo, although there are also those made of wood or ivory. They are generally about 18 centimetres (7.1 in) in length. The original ones imported to Japan from China were ivory. Tea masters in Japan have traditionally carved their own bamboo chashaku, providing them with a bamboo storage tube (tsutsu) as well as a poetic name (mei (
Trays
[edit]Various styles of trays are used in tea ceremony, including:
- Hakkebon (
八卦 盆 ), a round black-lacquered tray with mother-of-pearl inlay of the eight Chinese divination symbols. - Yamamichibon (
山道 盆 ), a round tray having undulating rim like a mountain path (yamamichi). - Yohōbon (
四方 盆 , lit. 'square tray').
Wamono
[edit]Wamono (
Water containers
[edit]Mizusashi
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Waterpot_met_vijf_dansende_personen_en_opschriften%2C_AK-MAK-894.jpg/220px-Waterpot_met_vijf_dansende_personen_en_opschriften%2C_AK-MAK-894.jpg)
A mizusashi (
If the mizusashi is ceramic and has a matching lid of the same ceramic, the lid is referred to as a tomobuta, or "matching lid". Often, a ceramic mizusashi will have a custom-made lid made of lacquered wood, especially if it is a container originally lacking a matching lid.
The mizusashi is one of the main objects in the aesthetic scheme of the objects the host selects for the particular occasion. Mizusashi are classified by their shape, place of make, and other characteristics.
Mizutsugi
[edit]A mizutsugi (
There are ones of metal, ones of ceramic, and ones of bentwood. There are two main kinds: katakuchi and yakan. The variety known as katakuchi is cylindrical, has a spout and handle, and matching lid. It may be made of bentwood, lacquered wood, or ceramic; the variety known as yakan is made of metal.
Water ladles
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Hishaku.jpg)
Hishaku (
A tetsubin does not require the use of a hishaku. Different styles are used for different ceremonies and in different seasons. A larger version that is made of cypress wood is used for the ritual rinsing of hands and mouth by guests before entering the tea room, or for use by the host in the back preparation area of the tea room (mizuya), in which case it distinguished as mizuya-bishaku.
Whisks
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Chasen%2C_Japanese_tea_whisk.jpg/220px-Chasen%2C_Japanese_tea_whisk.jpg)
Chasen (
Different schools of chanoyu prefer different styles and employ different styles depending on the particular kind of tea or tea-preparation style for which it is to be used. For instance, there are specific styles for preparing thin tea (usucha), thick tea (koicha), tea offerings in tenmoku tea bowls, tea in tall cylindrical tea bowls, for including in a portable boxed tea set (chabako), for outdoor tea-making, for New Year's, and for other special auspicious occasions.
There are also styles such as the "Rikyū-gata" (
Generally, the kind used for whisking thin tea (usucha) has 80, 100, or 120 fine tines, typically carved out of a flexible but robust bamboo such as Phyllostachys bambusoides (known as kashirodake or madake).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Genshoku Chadō Daijiten (Japanese encyclopedia of the Way of Tea), entry "chadōgu".
- ^ Larking, Matthew (2009-05-15). "A new spirit for tea traditions". The Japan Times. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Genshoku Chadō Daijiten Japanese encyclopedia of the Way of Tea. Tankōsha, 1975; 10th edition, 1986.
- ^ Chanoyu Quarterly no. 82, containing a comprehensive coverage of chanoyu ash
- ^ Article "Sumi and How It is Made," in Chanoyu Quarterly no. 45 (1986)
- ^ "Rikyu's futaoki". 29 October 2014.
- ^ "Rikyus The 7 Futaoki - Japanese Tea Mart Rikyu". www.rikyucha.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b A Chanoyu Vocabulary: Practical Terms for the Way of Tea (Tankosha: 2007)
- ^ Article "Appreciating Teascoops", including description on how chashaku are made, in Chanoyu Quarterly no. 54 (1988)
- ^ "Chasen" (in Japanese). Chikumeido. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- Michiko, Suganuma. "Lacquer teaware".
Further reading
[edit]- Honda, Hiromu; Shimazu, Noriki (1993). Vietnamese and Chinese Ceramics Used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-19-588607-8.
- Murase, Miyeko, ed. (2003). Turning point : Oribe and the arts of sixteenth-century Japan. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
External links
[edit] Media related to Japanese tea utensils at Wikimedia Commons