Chashaku "Yamanoi" Vintage Japanese wooden tea scoop #3729

- length: approx. 19.4cm (7 41⁄64in)

- weight: gross 94g

- maker: Hayashi Kei

- title: "Ymanoi" the origin of that name is as below,

In 1629, Zen Master Taku’an was banished from Kyoto to Kamiyama (today’s city of Kamiyama in Yamagata Prefecture).  The then-lord of Kamiyama Castle, Yoriyuki Toki, built a hut and gave it to Taku’an.  He name the hut “Harusame-an” (Spring Rain Hut), and spent his time there for three years until he was permitted to return to Kyoto.

There was a well called “Yamanoi” (a mountain well) at Harusame-an. A young girl from the village frequented there to get water. Every once in a while she would bring Taku’an flowers, sweets, village gossip, all of which were welcome distractions for him. One day she stopped coming to the hut. Upon inquiry, Taku’an found that she got married and moved away from the village. When leaving Harusame-an, Zen Master Taku’an read a poem:

Even if it is shallow, that’s fine.  If there is someone to come get water here, that’s all I want for the water in this mountain well (yamanoi).

Today’s Harusame-an is a replica of the original reconstructed at the site, and is designated as an important cultural asses of Yamagata Prefecture.