In the Edo period, participation in tea ceremonies became vital for a daimyo's social status, showcasing their roles as warriors and patrons of the arts. The Japanese chadÅ tea ceremony, featuring ceremonial grade matcha, is globally renowned today. Mastery of its movements requires years of practice.
The Tea Ceremony
This intricate Meiji period silver censer is a work of exquisite detail. Holding great spiritual import, this vessel was used to burn incense for tea ceremonies.
Samurai utilized tea ceremonies for diplomacy, fostering alliances and nurturing relationships amidst the aroma of powdered green tea. Conducted with grace and precision in the sukiya tea room, these ceremonies symbolized the dichotomy of peace and conflict. Each element, from the humble sukiya to the entrance pathway called the roji, held profound meaning, serving as a bridge between chaos and serenity.
Within the austere confines of the tea room, the samurai found solace in the ritualized movements of the ceremony. The emptiness of the space, punctuated only by a few select adornments, encouraged a state of mindfulness that mirrored the focused clarity required in battle.
Within the austere confines of the tea room, the samurai found solace in the ritualized movements of the ceremony. The emptiness of the space, punctuated only by a few select adornments, encouraged a state of mindfulness that mirrored the focused clarity required in battle.
Lacquerware
An ancient tradition that began circa 7000 BCE, lacquerware encompasses a wide array of everyday items such as bowls, trays and meal boxes, as well as intricate decorative works. Its resistance to water, salt and mild acids, along with antibacterial qualities, make it not only lightweight but also endowed with outstanding thermal insulation capabilities.
The journey of lacquerware begins with the careful extraction of lacquer sap from the lacquer tree. A single mature lacquer tree may produce less than half a cup of lacquer each season and then may not be tapped again for a few years. Once harvested, the raw lacquer is transformed by a skilled artisan known as nushi or lacquerer. Raw lacquer can cause skin irritation as the tree from which it is harvested is related to poison oak. Lacquer artists must expose themselves to the leaves little by little to build immunity.
The process begins with a wooden core known as a kasjishi, which is meticulously sanded until translucent, then dried for up to seven years to ensure the core will not warp. Then the nushi painstakingly applies layers of lacquer, up to thirty coats or more. Each coat, applied thinly and methodically, must dry completely before the next application. If the lacquer is applied too thick, the surface will dry but leave a liquid pocket underneath, leaving the piece ruined.
The drying process is more accurately described as curing through a chemical reaction. Raw lacquer contains an enzyme called lacase, which acts as a catalyst for oxidation. This reaction occurs most effectively in humid air, in dry conditions the lacquer will not dry properly. Artisans use a furrow, a tightly sealed drying cabinet that can be dampened to maintain the proper humidity. After each coat is dried, the lacquerware is polished by hand to achieve a flawless finish..A variety of inlays and designs can be added as well, a testament to the artisan's dedication to perfection.
