Suntory Museum of Art
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Notable Works
Nomizo tea kettle with moon-catching monkey design

Notable Works

Metalwork

Nomizo tea kettle with moon-catching monkey design

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Number of components: 1
Dimensions (in cm): H. (with matching iron lid) 18.3/ Kettle: H. 17.6, D. (rim) 23.2, D. (body) 26.3, W. (with lugs) 27.7/ Matching iron lid: H. 1.9, D. 22.8
Date of production: Edo period 17th century

This wide-mouthed, narrow-shouldered tea ceremony kettle has straight sides and a rounded base. The lugs are modelled on auspicious texts. A monkey design has been cast into the body. On one side, a monkey is seated on a rock jutting out from the water's surface. Its front right leg is extend - ed upwards as it gazes towards the slender crescent moon. On the other side, a monkey in a tree is extending its arm towards the crescent moon reflected in the lake. It represents "monkey grasping the moon," a Buddhist parable about not overreaching oneself. A favorite subject in Zen, the monkey-moon motif became a popular design in the tea ceremony, wit h its background in Zen culture.

Notable Works

Nomizo tea kettle with moon-catching monkey design

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART