Tea Scoop "Tsuru no Koe" by Urasenke Grand Master Tantansai, Rough-Cut by Kuroda Shogen

A named bamboo tea scoop, "Tsuru no Koe" (Voice of the Crane), finished by Tantansai, 14th grand master of Urasenke, with his own box inscription; the rough shaping was done by the bamboo master Kuroda Shogen.

Tantansai (1893–1964) led the Urasenke school through the mid-20th century and did much to spread chanoyu worldwide. Scoops carved by a grand master himself (jisaku), named and inscribed on the box in his hand, are among the most sought-after tea utensils. The Kuroda Shogen family serve the Senke schools as official bamboo craftsmen. The crane's call is an auspicious image associated with longevity and New Year gatherings. The dealer offers it as a single, one-only piece.

Details

• Scoop and box inscription: Tantansai (淡々斎), 14th Urasenke iemoto
• Rough-cut (shitakezuri): Kuroda Shogen (黒田正玄)
• Name (mei): Tsuru no Koe 鶴の聲
• Size: standard tea-scoop length; exact measurement not stated by dealer
• Box: wooden box inscribed by Tantansai
• Condition: vintage; dealer gives no condition notes

Watch: how a bamboo tea scoop is carved

A Kyoto bamboo specialist, Miki Chikuzai, shows how a chashaku tea scoop is made. (A general craft video — not this piece or maker.)

Please read before ordering

• One of a kind. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.