The Sunritz Hattori Museum of Arts is pleased to present an exhibition that highlights the histories and lineages of tea utensils. In the world of tea ceremony, yuisho refers to the circumstances under which an object was acquired, while denrai signifies its passage through temples, shrines, feudal households, or successive owners over generations.

The lineages recorded in chakaiki (tea ceremony records), meibutsuki (records of celebrated objects), hakogaki  (notes of authentication), and soejō (accompanying notes) reveal that each utensil has been carefully passed down through several hands to the present day. They also evoke the extraordinary passion of those who collected them, as well as the moments of quiet delight they must have felt in their possession.

This exhibition features exceptional works, including the National Treasure White Raku Tea Bowl, “Fujisan,” said to have been wrapped in a piece of furisode fabric and given by Hon’ami Kōetsu to his daughter upon her marriage; the Shinbei type Tea Caddy, "Benzetsu," whose name changed with each new owner; and the Black Raku Tea Bowl, “Gandori,” for which the distinguished statesman Inoue Kaoru commissioned a seventh outer box in his utmost delight and excitement upon acquiring it during the Meiji–Taishō period.

We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to appreciate each tea utensil while tracing the unique history it has traveled through time.