A Poem Inscribed Sake Cup by Buddhist Nun Rengetsu
- Artist:
- Buddhist Nun Rengetsu
- Era:
- Late Edo
- Price:
- SOLD
- Inquire:
- Contact gallery
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The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: In the future — happiness — and long life — two sprouting leaves —to grow a thousand years. Indeed a positive message, perhaps to accompany a warm cup of sake on a quiet winters evening.
Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen she was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly graces. Due to her rumored great beauty, she soon married but after the death of her husband in 1823, she joined the temple Chion-in and became a nun, taking Rengetsu (Lotus Moon) as her Buddhist name. Rengetsu is widely regarded as one of the greatest waka poets of the 19th century. A skilled Shijo School painter, she was also an accomplished calligrapher and potter. She admired and studied under a number of great poets including Ozawa Roan and Ueda Akinari, and later in life became a close friend and mentor to Tomioka Tessai—later to become a great artist in his own right.
This sake cup (shuhai) is 2 inches wide (5cm) and stands 1.2 inches tall (3cm). In fine antique condition, it comes with an original box, an outer collector’s box furnished sometime in the recent past, and a hand-written letter with the poem inscribed on the cup. ***International shipping and insurance is included in the price
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