Lot 143: Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637)

Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637) Letter of invitation to an evening tea ceremony Signed and dated Juichinichi Koetsu (11th day, Koetsu) Letter mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper 11 3/8 x 16 5/8in. (28.8 x 42.2cm.)

Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942), Kyoto

PUBLISHED: Hayashiya Tatsusaburo, Hayashiya Seizo, Okada Yuzuru, Yamane Yuzo, Komatsu Shigemi and Akai Tatsuro, eds., Koetsu (Tokyo: Daiichi hoki shuppan, 1964), no. 51. This is a letter of invitation issued on the 11th day to an evening tea gathering on the 14th day of an unknown month. Evening tea is called Yobanashi (night tales). An evening tea event is illuminated only by candlelight and the glow of the charcoal in the brazier, creating a a mood of calm and even mystery.