Calm Your Mind and Rest Your Heart

Finished

Sen no Rikyu (1522–91), regarded as the foremost tea master, lived during the mid to late 16th century and is known for perfecting the art of "wabi-cha." From the establishment of the tea ceremony, which initially valued imported goods, to the innovations brought by tea masters such as Juko Murata (1423–1502), Joo Takeno (1502–55), and Sen no Rikyu, new choices and creations of utensils, the improvement of tea rooms, and the development of etiquette contributed to the creation of a tea ceremony world based on a unique aesthetic.

The core of the museum’s collection includes works of medieval Zen monastic culture, such as ink paintings and calligraphy, which have been highly valued as "primary utensils" in the tea ceremony. It was a natural progression for our founder, Takayuki Masaki (1895–1985), who had a keen interest in medieval Zen monastic culture and was forming his collection, to become passionately devoted to the study and practice of the tea ceremony.

This exhibition focuses on the world of tea, featuring the only surviving portrait of Sen no Rikyū painted during his lifetime ("Portrait of Sen no Rikyu," Important Cultural Property, attributed to Tohaku Hasegawa), a national treasure in the form of calligraphy by Myocho Shuho (1282–1337), the founder of Daitoku-ji ("Calligraphy by National Teacher Daidō: Keirin Verse and Nangaku Verse"), as well as other works of medieval Zen monastic culture and tea utensils that Takayuki himself used in tea gatherings.

First Half: September 7 (Sat) – October 20 (Sun)
Second Half: October 24 (Thu) – December 1 (Sun)

Schedule

Sep 7 (Sat) 2024-Dec 1 (Sun) 2024