Rikyu-preferred Plum Bowl White Powder Incense Container with Gen'ensai (11th generation Urasenke Grand Master) signature and Ennōsai's inscription, made by 6th generation Nakamura Sōtetsu (with original box)

This is the Umebachi Oshiroi Toki (Plum Blossom and White Powder Incense Container), a favorite of Sen no Rikyu. Crafted by the 6th generation Nakamura Sotetsu, it features the promised elegant maki-e (gold lacquer inlay) of eight plum blossom crests, large and small, on the lid. While plum blossoms typically bloom in the early spring month of Kisaragi, Rikyu favored this motif for use during the furo (brazier) season, as the plum is considered a refined and deeply evocative flower. It is also cherished for its association with Sugawara no Michizane, making it suitable for arrangements during the Tenjin Matsuri festival. The inscription 哲 (Tetsu) is carved on the underside of the base. On the inside of the lid, there is a red inscription by Gen'ensai: Ekikōshitsu (seal). On the inside of the lid of the shared box, Ennosai has written Rikyu-koi kōgō Gen'ensai han Sōshitsu (seal). The seal of Sotetsu is stamped on the back of the box. The Sotetsu seal is partially obscured by a reinforcing strip, which is believed to have occurred when Ennosai made his inscription and the box was re-finished. The incense container is in good condition with no cracks or scratches, and no repairs. (*Confirmed under blacklight.*) When observed in natural light, the black lacquer appears reddish, which is a sign of aging and a testament to the old lacquer. (*See photo 14.*) There is a hole for a cord, but the original cord is missing.

Includes shared box.

Diameter: 5.5 cm, Height: 4.3 cm

▢ Gen'ensai Sōshitsu, 11th generation Urasenke Grand Master
1810-1877
11th Grand Master of Urasenke tea ceremony. Tea master to Lord Matsudaira (Hisamatsu) of Iyo. Tea advisor to the Owari Tokugawa family. Son of Matsudaira Nui no Kami Noritomo, lord of Mikawa Okudono. Adopted son-in-law of Ittokusai Sōshitsu. Devised new tea preparation methods such as the tea box procedure, the standing tea ceremony, and the Senyu ceremony, and revived the Wakin procedure. Proficient in flower arrangement, Noh chanting, waka poetry, calligraphy, and incense arts.

▢ Ennosai Sōshitsu, 13th generation Urasenke Grand Master
1872-1924
13th Grand Master of Urasenke tea ceremony. Eldest son of the 12th Grand Master, Myōmyōsai Sōshitsu. Pseudonyms include Ryūken, Kan'un, Ennosai (圓能斎), and Tetchū. In 1907, he held a grand tea ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of Moto-haku Sōtan, and as a commemorative project, he founded the Kyōan Monthly Report and initiated summer training courses. He created the Sanyū-style and Koicha Kakufuku-ten procedures, and revived the Nagashi-ten and Daienshin/Daiensō procedures.

▢ 6th Generation Nakamura Sotetsu
1792-1839
Lacquerware craftsman. Eldest son of the 5th generation. In 1812, he compiled the Katamono Kiwamedaka Chō (List of Valued Standardized Items) and inherited the職 (shoku - craft/position) of lacquerware craftsman for Rikyu-style and other standardized items. However, four years later, he passed the family headship to his younger brother and established a branch family, operating as a lacquerware craftsman under the name Hachirōbei. His pseudonym was Shinsai.

【References】
Rakkan Kaō Daijiten (Dictionary of Signatures and Seals), Tankosha
Nayashibera, Kawahara Shoten
Nakamura Sotetsu-ke no Rekidai (Generations of the Nakamura Sotetsu Family), Tankosha
Kindai Chadō e no Kiseki (Path to Modern Tea Ceremony), Chadō Shiryōkan (Tea Ceremony Research Center)
Senke Chadō no Keishō (Succession of Senke Tea Ceremony), Chadō Shiryōkan (Tea Ceremony Research Center)