The
Japanese word for tea ceremony is Chado, The Way of Tea. This delightful netsuke
from the early 20th century shows the ceremony is in full swing, with the figure
in the front playing the traditional hand-drum Tsuzumi, and the figure in the
back performing the Temae; both are dressed in ceremonial cloaks with scrimshawed
textile patterns. The
figures have a charming and gleeful expressions, and
seated lively swaying sideways in
an interlocking position that created a compact and tactile design.
There are two decorated and varied size himotoshi located on the base.