Encountering the National Treasure "Taihi Tenmoku Tea Bowl" - Across 800 Years of Time

The Taihi Tenmoku tea bowl housed in Kyoto's Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum transcends being merely a tea utensil. Born at the Jizhou kilns in Jiangxi Province, China during the Southern Song Dynasty (12th-13th century), this tea bowl with yellow-brown plum blossom patterns emerging on a black ground represents the ultimate expression of functional beauty.

Why the Taihi Tenmoku Was Designated a National Treasure

The primary reason this tea bowl was designated a National Treasure in 1953 lies in its technical excellence. The unique "paper-cut technique" double-glazing method developed at Jizhou kilns involves a complex process: first applying black glaze, then placing paper cutouts to create patterns, and finally layering ash glaze on top. When fired, the paper burns away, revealing yellow-brown patterns against the black ground.

While Japan has five tenmoku tea bowls designated as National Treasures, the Taihi Tenmoku is the only "taihi" type among them. The 15 plum blossom patterns on the interior surface are arranged in a calculated composition - 9 in the upper tier, 5 in the middle, and 1 at the bottom - demonstrating the sophisticated aesthetic sensibility of the Southern Song period.

The Mystical Beauty of Tortoiseshell-like Glaze

The name "Taihi" refers to the hawksbill turtle's shell, derived from the tortoiseshell-like mottled patterns created by the glaze. Particularly noteworthy is the iridescent luster that appears in the tea pool area. When viewed from different angles, one discovers a profound beauty as if peering into the cosmos itself.

Its modest dimensions - 6.7cm in height and 11.8cm in diameter - create an intimate feeling when held, while being the perfect size to showcase the graceful movements of tea preparation. The light weight of approximately 235g also demonstrates practical consideration for extended use during tea ceremonies.

The Supreme Tea Bowl Beloved by Matsudaira Fumai

During the Edo period, Matsudaira Fumai (Matsudaira Harusato), renowned as a tea master daimyo, evaluated this bowl as equal to the finest Ido tea bowls. Fumai's personally inscribed box inscription "Taihi-zan" speaks to his deep attachment. Passed from an Osaka merchant to the Matsudaira family and then to Shokoku-ji Temple, this bowl serves as an important witness to Japanese tea ceremony history.

Viewing Experience at Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum

After the reopening on October 19, 2025, the new LED lighting will allow visitors to appreciate the subtle color variations in the glaze more than ever before. The museum is just a 6-8 minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. At 800 yen for general admission, it's surprisingly reasonable considering you can view a National Treasure up close.

Shokoku-ji is the head temple of the Rinzai sect founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1392. The temple offers numerous attractions including the "Crying Dragon" ceiling painting in the Dharma Hall and the Sotan Inari Shrine with its deep connections to tea ceremony.

A New Attraction for Kyoto Tourism

The Shokoku-ji area is ideally located just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Imperial Palace, with good access to Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji temples. The headquarters of tea ceremony schools Omotesenke and Urasenke are nearby, allowing visitors to enjoy a culturally rich day combining tea ceremony experiences.

We particularly recommend visiting the museum in the morning, strolling through Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in the afternoon, and experiencing a tea ceremony in the evening. An encounter with this bowl, born in China 800 years ago and carefully preserved in Japan, will surely become an unforgettable Kyoto memory.

As a Bridge Between Eastern and Western Cultures

The Taihi Tenmoku tea bowl represents the crystallization of East Asian cultural exchange, where China's advanced ceramic technology merged with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. This bowl, brought back from Mount Tianmu by Zen monks, was not merely an imported item but acquired new value and meaning within Japanese tea ceremony culture.

In 2016, a contemporary tenmoku bowl sold for $11 million at Christie's, demonstrating its globally recognized value. However, true value cannot be measured in monetary terms. Only through the acts of holding, preparing tea, and drinking can one touch the essence of this bowl.