Teacup and Tea Heater

Art Historical Context

Nestled within an exquisite album of woodblock prints as *surimono*, Ryūgetsusai Shinkō's *Teacup and Tea Heater* the serene elegance of everyday Japanese tea utensils. Rendered in ink and vibrant color on paper, this intimate print measures just 5 3/16 x 7 1/8 inches, inviting close contemplation. Shinkō, a skilled Edo-period artist, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of surimono—luxury prints privately commissioned for poetry gatherings or New Year's celebrations, often featuring mica dusting, embossing, or metallic pigments for a tactile, jewel-like quality. Surimono like this one elevated humble subjects into poetic vignettes, blending ukiyo-e traditions with haikai poetry circles. The teacup and heater evoke Japan's deep tea culture, rooted in the Chanoyu ceremony, where such vessels symbolize mindfulness and hospitality. Though the exact date is unknown, the work reflects early 19th-century aesthetics, prioritizing subtle harmony over narrative drama. Generously bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1929 as part of the H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this print offers a window into Japan's artistic intimacy, reminding us how ordinary objects can inspire profound beauty.