The Kura - Japanese Art Treasures

Robert Mangold has been working with Japanese antiques since 1995 with an emphasis on ceramics, Paintings, Armour and Buddhist furniture.

Chawan Tea Bowl by Otagaki Rengetsu


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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1900: Item # 1280386

Please refer to our stock # TCR4768 when inquiring.
The Kura
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23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
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A wide low chawan tea bowl inscribed with a poem by Otagaki Rengetsu reading “Yo no naka ha tata utatane no shibaraku wo samenu yume ji ni matofu wari nasa. In the world only for the span of a nap yet wandering an inescapable path of dreams…such a mystery. (Translation from Rengetsu.org). It is 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter, 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) tall and in fine condition.
Much has been written about the life and work of poet/artist Otagaki Rengetsu. Born into a samurai family, she was adopted into the Otagaki family soon after birth, and served as a lady in waiting in Kameoka Castle in her formative years, where she received an education worthy of a Lady of means. Reputed to be incredibly beautiful, she was married and bore three children; however her husband and all children died before she was twenty. Remarried she bore another daughter, however that child too perished and her husband died while she was just 32. Inconsolable, she cut off her hair to join the nunnery at Chion-in Temple, where she renounced the world and received the name Rengetsu (Lotus Moon). However this was not the end, but only the beginning of a career as artist and poet which would propel her to the top of the 19th century Japan literati art world.