Japanese Silver Ash Scoop with Pine Motif Inlay by Kimura Seiun, favored by Tantansai #5321 for sale

Up for sale is this "Japanese Silver Ash Scoop with Pine Motif Inlay by Kimura Seiun, favored by Tantansai #5321" If you have any questions please contact us before buy it. No reserve.

height: approx. 21.2 cm (8 11⁄32 in)

width: approx. 4.0 cm (1 37⁄64 in)

weight: approx. 39 g w/ box (171g)

This refined silver ash scoop (hai-saji), crafted by the acclaimed metal artist Kimura Seiun, exemplifies the sophisticated harmony of form, symbolism, and craftsmanship central to the Japanese tea tradition. Commissioned in the taste (gonomi) of Tantansai, the 14th-generation grand master of the Urasenke tea school, this piece is both a functional utensil and a work of art that embodies the values of wabi and shibui.

Made of high-quality silver (nanjū, or "pure silver"), the piece bears the stamp “銀” (silver) and “90,” denoting a 90% silver purity (Ag900). The shallow oval scoop is adorned with three precisely inlaid pine-bark rosettes (matsu zōgan)—a traditional auspicious motif symbolizing longevity, steadfastness, and resilience in Japanese culture. The inlay work is exceptionally fine, catching the light with understated brilliance.

The handle, formed from bamboo, is tightly bound in alternating red and golden thread, not only enhancing grip but also adding a decorative rhythm that balances the cool austerity of the silver with warmth and liveliness. The piece is signed 「清雲」(Seiun) at the neck and comes complete with its original kiribako (paulownia wood box) and protective paper box, both inscribed and signed, preserving its provenance.

With no visible damage and an elegant natural patina, this ash scoop is a testament to the meditative beauty of tea ceremony implements. It is highly collectible and serves as a rare example of mid-modern Japanese kōgei (applied arts) aligned with the aesthetic values of chanoyu.

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