“Ryukoin Tsurukubi”
Among the most celebrated examples of Tsurukubi chaire tea caddies are the “Rikyu Tsurukubi”, “Honganji Tsurukubi”, “Yoro Tsurukubi”, and “Ryukoin Tsurukubi”.
This piece is a reproduction of the “Rikyu Tsurukubi Tea Caddy”, which is classified as an Omeibutsu/Daimeibutsu, or Great Masterpiece. The name “Rikyu Tsurukubi” derives from the fact that the original chaire tea caddy was once owned by Sen no Rikyu.
The Tsurukubi form is distinguished by its rounded, swelling body and its long, straight neck, which resembles the graceful neck of a crane. The word “tsurukubi” literally means “crane’s neck.”
This piece is finished with a traditional “Ko-Seto glaze”. This glaze is primarily composed of feldspar and wood ash, with naturally occurring iron oxide—such as iron-rich “onita” clay—added to the mixture. During firing, it develops deep shades of black, reddish brown, and amber.
The rich depth and dignified appearance of Ko-Seto glaze have long been admired by tea practitioners. It has therefore been widely used for tea utensils, particularly tea caddies such as this one.
The photo shows a reproduction work by Yamaguchi Jotetsu II born in Aichi in 1920.
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