This is a tea scoop (chashaku) made by Ennosai (Ennosai) Soshitsu himself. Normally, a tea scoop is finished by a shita-kezuri (a craftsman who does the initial carving) and then inscribed, but this is a valuable piece carved by the master himself, with the inscription "My humble work" on the box. The bamboo uses jun-toi (a method of cutting bamboo to show the grain), and the nodes have traces of branch removal and beautiful stains. The tip of the scoop (kaisen) is pointed, and the groove runs from the tip to below the node, making it a very attractive and notable scoop. *It is said that the pointed tip of the scoop began to be carved after 1913. There are two knife marks (proof of self-creation) by the master on the back of the node. The inscription "Hototogisu" (cuckoo) refers to the bird that announces the arrival of early summer, and has been a symbol of elegance and nobility in the world of haiku and waka poetry. The cuckoo, a migratory bird, comes from afar from spring to summer. Visitors from afar are said to bring good luck, and the cuckoo has also been spoken of as a messenger of good fortune. Especially, hearing its first call is said to bring good fortune. The accompanying tube is inscribed with "Hototogisu (kao - signature)", and the accompanying box has the inscription "My humble work, inscription Hototogisu, Kan'un" on the inside of the lid, inscribed by Ennosai Soshitsu. No cracks or repairs. With accompanying tube and box. Length: 18.4 cm ▢ Urasenke 13th generation Ennosai Soshitsu (1872-1924) The 13th head of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. The eldest son of the 12th generation, Mataisai Soshitsu. His childhood name was Komakichi. His art names include - Tairyuken, Kan'un, Ennosai (Ennosai), and Techu. He succeeded the headship at the age of 15. He went to Tokyo for a time and devoted himself to the development of the school. After returning to Kyoto, he held the 250th memorial service tea ceremony for Genpaku Sotan in 1907, and as a commemorative project, he launched the "Konnichian Monthly Report" and initiated summer courses. He devised the Sanyu style and koicha (thick tea) each serving point, and revived the nagashi-ten (flowing tea) and the temae of Daien-shin and Daien-so. 【References】 Rakkan Kao Daijiten (Dictionary of Signatures and Kao) Tankosha Chajin no Kao (Signatures of Tea People) Kawahara Shoten Chadogu no Hako to Hakogaki (Boxes and Box Inscriptions of Tea Utensils) by Eiichi Oda, Tankosha #Why don't you have your own tea utensils? #Chawan-ya Shokudo #Tea utensils #Tea scoop #Hototogisu #Auspicious #Celebratory #Early summer #Tea scoop #Tea ceremony #Konnichian #Urasenke #Sen no Rikyu #Sen Soshitsu #Ennosai #Ennosai #Tankokai #Tea ceremony #Tea ceremony #Antique art #Kyoto #Tea ceremony #Beauty #Art #Stylish #Tea room #Tea seat #Tea ceremony