$2,000
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Description
9" (23 cm.) Carved wooden head with bald pate indicative of Buddhist monk, fine gofun finish, painted facial features, narrow angled eyes, arched brows, closed mouth with solemn expression, posed seated with legs hidden under costume, carved wooden hands, wearing costume comprising a patterned brown sleeveless coat with green cord ties over figured silk kimono with Buddhist "sayagata" pattern, four layered collars, bast fiber trousers with silver thread accents and silk cap. Excellent condition. Edo period, circa 1830. The historical figure, Sen no Rikkyu, is considered the premiere master of the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. Mingling his zen education to the earlier formal tea ceremony, he urged that the tea repast must be simple, honest, and respectful; his teachings not only impacted the world of tea, but extended to include aesthetics, architecture, and gardens.