Description
This brand new classic style bamboo Japanese tea cup features a beautiful glaze finish decorated with the image Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Japanese writing on the side of the cup reads "nana koro bi yaoki" which translates as "Seven falls eight ups". This phrase is very popular in Japan as it refers to an old saying attributed to Daruma-san who taught that life falls down seven times yet can get up eight, indicating that with perseverance we may succeed despite the many trials of life. Please read below to learn more about Japanese tea culture and well as this important Buddhist figure.
Size of cup:
Height: 3.1 inches (8.9 centimeters)
Diameter: 2.3 inches (5.8 centimeters)
Weight: 1.5 ounces (44 grams)
Green Tea History
The true origins of tea are lost in pre-history. However, some interesting legends do exist to explain how humanity came to acquire this culinary treasure. One Chinese story tells how a famous herbalist was preparing medicine next to a large tea plant when some leaves did fall into a pot of boiling water. Upon sampling the brew and realizing the stimulating benefits, the herbalist then added tea to his list of medicines. Another story gives credit to the Indian sage Bodhidarma (aka Daruma) who is the recognized founder of Zen Buddhism. Daruma-san is thought to have achieved enlightenment only after meditating for seven years straight without blinking or moving his eyes. At one point during his long vigil Daruma apparently became so overcome by fatigue that he tore off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. The eyelids are then thought to have sprouted into China's first green tea plants.
Buddhist priests are normally credited with introducing tea to Japan during the 6th century where it was first popular with priests trying to stay alert during long sessions of meditation. Tea was later adopted by the ruling and military classes where elaborate ceremonies for the preparation and serving of tea were developed and refined over many centuries. The Japanese tea ceremony (sadou) is today appreciated as one of the most beautiful and intriguing of the traditional Japanese arts. Tea is certainly one of the defining elements of contemporary Japanese lifestyle; important in family and social settings and providing catalyst for a wide range of art forms, from ceramic and iron ware, to bamboo craft as well as the very act of drinking. And while practitioners of the tea ceremony may spend a lifetime mastering the art of tea, Japanese from every walk of life do appreciate on a daily basis the delicious flavor and invigorating effect of this most important drink.
More about Daruma
"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight..." This popular Japanese proverb is commonly associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma. Daruma is the more familiar name of the historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or sixth century AD. Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have introduced into China during his travels there. Some of the legends surrounding this figure include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven years without blinking or moving his eyes. Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall. Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue that he cut off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground. These are reputed to have then sprouted into China's first green tea plants! It is said that Daruma's long meditation caused his arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet enlightened) Bodhidarma... The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals or achievements. The dolls are sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize the start of a new goal or venture. The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home or at work in order to remind the owner to keep after their aim. Japanese students especially utilize Daruma to motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on their desk as motivation to work hard and make the grade. Only after the goal is achieved will the owner then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal. Daruma dolls which have completed their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be burned during special ceremonies set aside for this purpose.
Item code: INV-000088_01
Ship code: L1650
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Ceramic Japanese Tea Cup - Crackle Finish Yunomiby theoldtokaido2,094 views
I was wondering what happened to this channel. It's been a long time.
I usually get my Japanese crafts at estate sales here in the States, but your Shinto site is a great resource.
About the miniature tea cups: The one you are showing is a bit larger than usual, but I have several of the really small ones and I was just wondering, do they brew the tea particularly strong or do they keep filling up the cup? Or do they just drink a little bit?
LordBalto 1 year ago
@LordBalto I'm sorry for the long absence of new uploads on this channel. Thank you for your interest in our items from Japan. My experience with Japanese tea cups is that people tend to refill the cups two or more times during a meal or during tea time. Japanese people also tend to consume less tea (other beverages as well) than folks in the west which works well for using the smaller sized cups. Thank you for watching! Have a great day! ~Kurt :-)
theoldtokaido 1 year ago