A spoon for medicine. A curio other than the fact it is between 300-400 years old. Made from deer horn, in abundant supply in Nara. I didn’t learn much more about it. An interesting piece. It is large enough to make me think it is made more for herbal medicines.
The other set of pictures are general pictures of the tokonoma in Mr. Kawase’s shop. They illustrate a couple of points I hadn’t known about. The scroll dates from the Tempyo period.
If you put a hanging scroll that has lettering done in this style in a tokonoma , by tradition it should have a copper vase as a complement. I am unsure of the parameters of this. I think the writing in this scroll is of Buddhist scripture and this might be the limit of the rule. I have seen many cases of ceramic vases being used but mostly with scrolls with a different subject matter.. This might be a traditional precept that has fallen out of use.
Another point illustrated by the pictures is the scroll. The background should make the scroll pop out. The contrast difference between the background and the letters should allow the letters to come forward, the background to fall to the back.
Togeii's Weblog 
June 4, 2009 at 1:08 am |
hey, I came across your blog and I figured you would be interested in a feature I’m doing on my site on vintage salt and pepper shaker collectors. One of the featured collectors has a big collection of antique Japanese salt and pepper shakers: http://www.collectorsquest.com/featured-week/S+%26+P+Shakers.html
June 4, 2009 at 7:02 am |
Hello Jenn,
Thank you, very interesting site.
June 4, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
No problem! I’m glad you enjoyed it.