A Poem Inscribed Tea Bowl by Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)
- Artist:
- —
- Era:
- Pre 1900
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- SOLD
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The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: 花を待つ人の心や雲となりて山の端ごとに立ちまよふらん The hearts of those waiting for flowers to blossom — have they turned into clouds, drifting and straying along every ridge of the hills? Rich with symbolism, the poem evokes a sense of becoming unstuck. No longer just waiting for events to unfold, rather, actively taking up the quest even if in somewhat of a fanciful manner.
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 ceremonial tea bowl is 4.3 inches wide (10.8cm) and stands 2.5 inches tall (6.3cm). In excellent antique condition it comes with a perfectly custom fit silk pouch (shifuku). The poem is well documented as one she inscribed on ceramics and paintings.
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