CHADŌ – The Beauty of Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Chadō 日本茶道

Chadō – the ceremonial act of preparing and appreciating powdered tea (matcha) – is one of the most classic cultural activity in Japan since the 12th century. The Japanese highly embraced their matcha tradition and further transcended their tea ritual to bridge philosophies of inner spiritual development and concepts of harmony. In a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, each minute detail – from its setting to the actual utensils used – is a demonstration of the host’s erudition and sophistication of the act. The practice of chadō and its ideology remain an integral part of the Japanese cultural heritage until the present day.

茶道，自十二世紀以降已為日本重要文化精髓。日本抹茶道深受中國宋代鬥茶文化影響，及後經歷自身文化蛻變，發展成獨特的生活哲學與美學。在傳統日本茶道中的每一個細節，從場地佈設以至於所用的每一件器物，都彰顯着主人對茶道的研究與高尚的品位。茶道深入日本文化根源，至今仍是日本文化遺產重要的一環。

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Chadō: The Art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony Explained

Special thank you to 汴京茶寮 Tealosophy Hong Kong and East_c.florist for the generous support for our themed photoshoot.

Although tea was introduced to Japan as early as the Tang dynasty, it was only during the 12th century when the tea ceremony was widely practised in Japan beyond aristocratic and religious circles. The key figure who pioneered this revolutionary change was the Zen Buddhist monk Eisai. Song dynasty ceramics from China were particularly favoured as utensils for the ritual. We are honoured to present in this sale a curated selection from the MQ collection.

Practising as a distinguished art professor as well as a revered art critic, the master of the MQ collection has a sharp aesthetic vision. He followed the footsteps of his family line of collectors, and started his collecting journey first in modern oil painting, then later expanded into ancient Buddhist sculptures and Song dynasty ceramics. He is particularly drawn to the beauty of forms and the philosophy of ancient Chinese culture – a pursuit which is reflected in the essence of Song dynasty ceramics.

‘Of all the teas in the world, Jian is the best; Beiyuan in Jian is the best of the best.’

Zhou Jiang's Sequel to The Classic of Tea [Bu Cha Jing]

The Yulinting Gilt-Inscribed ‘Beiyuan Xianchun’ Teabowl | 南宋遇林亭窰黑釉金彩「北苑先春」茶盞

中國的茶自唐代已傳入日本，惟未有廣傳。後至宋代經由榮西禪師提倡，日本茶道及喝茶風氣方再度流行。當中宋代珍瓷更成日本茶道歷史中不可分割的部分。本拍賣欣呈莫勸齋珍藏古瓷，窺探日本茶道發展歷史。

莫勸齋珍藏藏主乃著名藝評家及大學藝術教授。其出身藝術世家，眼光精闢獨到，熱衷收藏，涉獵甚廣。展早年先開始收藏油畫佳作，及後醉心鑽研古典佛教雕塑及宋代珍瓷，希望藉其宋代瓷器珍藏，尋找中國立體造型的美感及探討中國文化中思想的養分所源。箇中精品當屬南宋遇林亭窰黑釉金彩「北苑先春」茶盞，歷史價值非凡，極為珍稀。

「天下之茶建為最，建之北苑又為最。」

周絳《補茶經》

Yulinting kiln in Fujian province was known to produce some of the finest black-glazed teabowls and were classic vessels for tea consumption in the Song dynasty. Extant Yulinting tea bowls are particularly rare. The spectral contrast between the intrinsic jet-black glaze and the radiating gilt decoration on the present bowl would have greatly enhanced the aesthetic experience of the ceremonial preparation of whisked tea.

福建武夷山遇林亭窰乃宋代八大窰系中的建窰系的重要窰址，盛產茶道重器，傳世品極為珍稀。本品烏金釉溫厚潤澤，與金彩相映成趣，為茶道添增美術和儀式感。

CHADŌ – The Beauty of Japanese Tea Ceremony 恬靜閑寂 – 日本茶道美學 Online Auction: 9–18 October 2022 • 12:00 PM HKT • Hong Kong | 網上拍賣：2022年10月9-18日 • 下午 12:00 HKT • 香港

Japanese Chadō 日本茶道

周絳《補茶經》

A Journey inspired by the Song 日本茶道中的中國陶瓷

Contemporary Japanese Masters 日本當代名家

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CHADŌ – The Beauty of Japanese Tea Ceremony

恬靜閑寂 – 日本茶道美學

Online Auction: 9–18 October 2022 • 12:00 PM HKT • Hong Kong | 網上拍賣：2022年10月9-18日 • 下午 12:00 HKT • 香港