Tea Scoop (Chagō) in the Shape of a Cicada

1891

Not on view

This bamboo scoop was used to transfer the appropriate amount of sencha tea from a larger jar to the small ceramic teapot. The work is signed by Hayakawa Shōkosai I and, as noted in the inscription, was executed when the artist was seventy-six. Whereas most tea scoops have a simple, half-cylinder shape, Shōkosai playfully converted this one into a small “sculpture” representing a cicada, associated with immortality and rebirth.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

初代早川尚古斎作　蝉形茶合
Title: Tea Scoop (Chagō) in the Shape of a Cicada
Artist: Hayakawa Shōkosai I (Japanese, 1815–1897)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: 1891
Culture: Japan
Medium: Bamboo
Dimensions: H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); W. 2 in. (5.1 cm); L. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm)
Classification: Bamboo
Credit Line: Purchase, Diane and Arthur Abbey Gift, 2022
Object Number: 2022.12
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Hayakawa Shōkosai I

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Bowler Hat, Hayakawa Shōkosai I Japanese, Timber bamboo, rattan, and brocaded silk, Japan — Bowler Hat
Hayakawa Shōkosai I
ca. 1880s–90s

Basket for Transporting Sencha Tea-Ceremony Utensils (Chakago or Teiran), Hayakawa Shōkosai I Japanese, Rattan and brocaded silk, Japan — Basket for Transporting Sencha Tea-Ceremony Utensils (Chakago or Teiran)
Hayakawa Shōkosai I
ca. 1877–80s

Karamono-Style Flower Basket (Hanakago), Hayakawa Shōkosai I Japanese, Timber bamboo and rattan, Japan — Karamono-Style Flower Basket (Hanakago)
Hayakawa Shōkosai I
ca. 1870s–80s

Ornament (?), Bamboo, Japan — Ornament (?)
Japan
19th century

Charcoal Basket, Bamboo, Japan — Charcoal Basket
Japan
19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.