Description:
A young man seated before a hearth makes tea for a woman who sits behind him holding an infant; tea ceremony
Label Text:
At first glance, this domestic scene of a tea ceremony (chanoyu) appears to be straightforward. A husband is preparing tea while his wife looks on. He uses a bamboo ladle to take boiling water from the kettle. A container of powdered tea with a tea scoop and whisk are on a tray.
But, according to the title of this print, it is associated with the story of Guo Jo, one of twenty-four Chinese tales of Confucian virtues. Unable to afford to feed his wife, mother and infant son, Guo Ju decided it was necessary to sacrifice his child out of filial devotion to his mother. As he was digging a grave in preparation for his son’s death, the shovel struck a solid gold kettle, saving the child and the entire family.
In this print Koryūsai likens the young couple to Guo Ju and his wife and the tea kettle to the gold kettle in the story. To further reinforce the Chinese theme, an incense burner shaped as a crane, a Chinese symbol of longevity, is placed in the alcove along with a Chinese-style hanging scroll.
Subjects:
Wood-engraving Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=SC+1968.225 |
