Tea Leaf Storage Jar

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Tea Leaf Storage Jar

16th century

Artist/maker unknown, Japanese

Tea leaves that will be ground into powdered tea are stored in this kind of storage jar (chatsubo) from the time they are picked in spring until November or December. The kuchikiri tea ceremony celebrates the opening of a fresh jar of tea leaves. In the past, the host would grind the leaves into powder on the day of the gathering in order to have the freshest tea possible. Today, because practitioners typically purchase preground tea, these jars have a purely aesthetic use.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Tea Leaf Storage Jar

Date:

16th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Japanese

Medium:

Stoneware with partial ash glaze (Bizen ware)

Dimensions:

10 1/4 × 6 3/4 inches (26 × 17.1 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Fiske Kimball Fund and with funds contributed by Mrs. Howard H. Lewis, 1996

Accession Number:

1996-95-1

Geography:

Made in Japan, Asia

Context:

Period: Muromachi Period (1392-1573) or Momoyama Period (1568-1615)

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