Silver Inlay Tea Scoop, "Ochiba" (Fallen Leaves)

Chashaku (tea scoop) with the poetic inscription by Kujo Takeko:
Tsuchi no he ni kaeru ochiba no shizukesa wo
Suzushiu mo utsu yama no yūkaze
(The quietness of fallen leaves returning to the earth,
how refreshingly the evening mountain breeze blows.)

This chashaku is perfect for tea ceremonies during the season of fallen leaves.

The node of the chashaku is inlaid with a design representing fallen leaves.
The shape is the Sakuma Shogen style.
Crafted by Naruse Sōkyo.

Length: Approx. 19 cm, Width: 1 cm (at the widest point)

Kujo Takeko:
A poetess from the Taisho to Showa eras, who founded Kyoto Women's Higher Vocational School (now Kyoto Women's University).

Naruse Sōkyo:
Born in 1902.
For a long time, he performed the rough shaping of tea scoops for high-ranking monks of Daitoku-ji Temple.
Upon celebrating his 88th birthday (Beiju), he began inscribing his name on tea scoops at the urging of many people.

Sakuma Shogen:
A warrior from 1570-1642 (Gengki 1 - Kanei 19).
His given name was Sanekatsu, later Masakatsu. His common name was Shogen, and his sobriquet was Sunshōan.
He established Sunshōan within Ryūkō-in, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji.
The Sunshōan Shikishi (a collection of calligraphy) is named after Masakatsu's possession of it.