Tea Scoop (Chashaku)
Sen no Rikyū was one of the most influential figures in the development of the tea ceremony, or chanoyu. He served as tea master to two of the most powerful warlords of the sixteenth century. His emphasis on modest, rustic simplicity for the utensils as well as the surroundings resulted in a new, simpler style of tea ceremony known as wabi-cha that became standard beginning in the Momoyama period (1573–1615). Rikyū developed and created many Japanese-style tea-ceremony objects, including tea scoops and flower containers, and he also produced designs for teabowls. He cut bamboo for the utensils himself; this tea scoop was carved from a single narrow piece of bamboo. The raised, rounded end was used to transfer powdered green tea from the tea caddy to the teabowl.
Artwork Details
- 伝千利休作 茶杓
- Title: Tea Scoop (Chashaku)
- Artist: Sen no Rikyū (Japanese, 1522–1591)
- Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
- Date: 1580s
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Bent and carved bamboo
- Dimensions: L. 7 1/16 in. (17.9 cm)
- Classification: Bamboo
- Credit Line: Gift of Peggy and Richard M. Danziger, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.553.23
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Sen no Rikyū
probably early 17th century
Sen no Rikyū
ca. 1583
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