The Black Tea Bowl 'Genta-iro' by Rikyu I by Rikyu I was sold for 230 million yen. It is the first public auction in 90 years.
The black tea bowl 'Genta-iro' by Rikyu I was sold for 230 million yen at the auction, marking the first public auction in 90 years.Summary
The black tea bowl 'Genta-iro' by Rikyu I was sold for 230 million yen at the '850th New Craft and Tea Ceremony Utensils Auction' held at the Mainichi Auction headquarters in Ariake, Tokyo. This transaction set a record for the highest price at this auction. The bowl, which bears the signature of Rikyu, is a renowned piece passed down through the wealthy merchant family, the Hoko family, which has deep ties to the Omotesenke school. The Hoko family is known for possessing three of the seven famous bowls by Rikyu I, known as the 'Rikyu Shichu (Seven Rikyu Bowls)', alongside other famous works such as 'Kankyo' and 'Tarobo'. This is the first time the bowl has been offered at a public auction in approximately 90 years, since the 1938 bidding by the 'Sabekake' branch of the Hoko family, known as the Kanraku-an.
(Source：美術手帖)