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The Beauty of Hospitality: Gatherings of Noh and Tea

Until Dec 21

Successive heads of the SUMITOMO family took an interest in Noh and chanoyu (the tea ceremony) as part of their cultural refinement. They also hosted Noh performances and tea gatherings to entertain guests, thereby forming social relationships. This exhibition introduces collections related to Noh and tea that were assembled for use in these hospitality occasions. Many of the Noh-related implements were collected by the fifteenth head of the family, SUMITOMO Kichizaemon Tomoito (nicknamed “Shunsui”). The Noh actor ONISHI Ryotaro greatly contributed to the formation of this collection. ONISHI was not only Shunsui’s Noh instructor but also a fellow chanoyu enthusiast, often participating in tea gatherings hosted by Shunsui during the early twentieth century. Tea gathering records from that time document the utensils used on various occasions, offering insights into the aesthetic sensibilities of Shunsui as a tea gathering host.

Schedule

Now in session

Nov 22 (Sat) 2025-Dec 21 (Sun) 2025 8 days left