The hanaire holds the flowers arranged for the alcove, either hung on the wall or standing. With the hanging scroll it forms the centre of the alcove display. Materials range widely — bamboo, basketry, ceramic, metal — and selecting to the season and the theme of a sitting directs the intention of a whole gathering. For a practitioner, the choice of flower vessel is among the most eloquent means of stating what the alcove is about.
History
The type derives from bronze and ceramic vases of Song and Yuan court culture, prized in Muromachi shoin display. In tea practice, bamboo vessels came to the fore in the Momoyama period — Rikyu cut them himself — establishing a plainer register alongside the imported vases.
In practice
The scroll is hung for the first half of a full gathering and replaced by flowers for the second, so the flower vessel appears when the guests return from the garden. It is examined on entering rather than with the tea utensils.
Sources
- 利休の花入（利休をたずねる） / 一般財団法人 不審菴（表千家公式サイト）
Supports: 天正18年（1590）の小田原滞陣の折に利休が韮山の竹で尺八・一重切・二重切の竹花入を作ったと伝えること、一重切の割れを弁慶が引き摺った園城寺の釣鐘になぞらえて銘としたこと
- 竹一重切花入 銘 園城寺 / 文化遺産オンライン（文化庁）
Supports: 伝千利休作・安土桃山時代 天正18年（1590）の作として東京国立博物館に伝わること（高33.9cm）
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.