The lid of the chaire tea caddy shown in the photograph has dark, irregular markings.
Traditional chaire lids were often made of ivory, and such natural markings are known as su (巣) or sometimes mushikui (“worm-eaten”). Despite the name, they are not caused by insects. They are associated with the inner core of the ivory. A lid displaying these markings is called a subuta (巣蓋).
Although these marks might appear to be flaws, they have also been appreciated as keshiki (“scenery”), the natural character that gives a tea utensil its individual beauty.
A traditional tea ceremony anecdote tells of Sen no Rikyū and his disciple Furuta Oribe. Rikyū is said to have used a tea caddy with a su-marked lid, positioning the marks toward the katte-tsuke side, away from the guest.
Oribe later used the same tea caddy but turned the marks toward the kyaku-tsuke side, where the guest could see and appreciate them. According to the story, Rikyū was impressed by Oribe’s thoughtful arrangement.
I find this story particularly fascinating. Inspired by Oribe’s approach, I like to turn the su toward the guest’s side when arranging a chaire tea caddy.
The photograph shows a work by Kawamoto Ryōshō, born in 1948.
