Hakogaki refers to writing on the lid, the underside of the lid, or the sides of the box holding a tea utensil, giving the object's name, poetic name, provenance, and maker. It is an important basis for attribution and for judgements of value.
Types
There are several layers: an inscription by the maker themselves, an inscription by a head of a school or a senior teacher, and an accompanying letter by an owner. An inscription by a school's head establishes the object as an official utensil of that school.
In practice
During examination guests check the box inscription and read the object's provenance from it. An object with no inscription is called hadakamono, "naked" — a term indicating that the absence is itself a significant fact about the piece.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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Related terms
- Chado (The Way of Tea)chado
The Japanese practice of preparing and serving powdered green tea, treated as a lifelong discipline rather than a beverage ritual.
- Wabiwabi
Finding sufficiency of mind within insufficiency and plainness; one of the root concepts of tea practice.
- Ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting)ichigo ichie
The principle that every gathering is unrepeatable, and should therefore be treated as if it will never occur again.
- Yuisho (provenance and its story)yuisho
The history and associated stories attaching to a utensil or a sitting; broader than the physical transmission.
- Bokuseki (Zen calligraphy)bokuseki
Calligraphy by Zen monks, the most highly ranked of hanging scrolls, which fixes the theme of a sitting.
- Kakitsuke (written attestation)kakitsuke
Writing about a utensil by a school's head or a recognised authority; decisive for attribution and rank.
- Tomobako (original box)tomobako
A box made specifically for a utensil by its maker or owner and inscribed by them; irreplaceable once lost.