Lot 167: Ko Sukoku (1730-1804)

Ko Sukoku (1730-1804) Portrait of the tea master Sen no Rikyu and a list of seven rules for tea practice Signed Hokkyo Ko Sukoku shoga, sealed Hokkyo Sukoku and Su, and inscribed Rikyu nanakajo, hana wa nono monono yoni, sumi wa yuno wakuyona, yoru mo suzushiku, fuyu wa atatakaku, kokugen wa hayameni, furazutomo kasa no yoi, aikyaku ni kokoro o tsuke Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper 12 1/2 x 20in. (31.5 x 51cm.)

Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) is the famous tea master who established Wabi tea events in the Momoyama period. He was the founder of the Sen tea schools (Omote, Ura, Mushanokoji). The inscription lists Rikyu's seven rules for tea practice, including that the flower in the tea room should be appear to be a wildflower, the host should be prepared for rain with an umbrella regardless of the weather, and so on.