Item Description 辻与次郎 Tsuji Yojiro（dates unknown） — Attributed Amidado-gama (阿弥陀堂釜) Iron Tea Ceremony Kettle, Momoyama Period (late 16th century), with authentication by Onishi Josetsu This remarkable iron tea kettle (chagama) is presented as a work attributed to Tsuji Yojiro, the most celebrated kettle maker of the Momoyama period and personal釜師 to the great tea master Sen no Rikyu. The kettle takes the classic Amidado form — one of the three iconic shapes that Tsuji Yojiro is credited with creating at Rikyu's behest — characterized by its slightly angular shoulders, flared rim (kuchikuri), and plain loop-form kan-tsuki (ring handle lugs) at the shoulders. The textured iron surface displays the rich, deeply fired finish known as yakinuki, a technique traditionally attributed to Tsuji Yojiro himself, in which the cast kettle is returned to the fire to seal and deepen the skin, producing a surface of great tactile beauty and wabi character. The piece bears the authentication (kiwame) of Onishi Josetsu, the tenth generation head of the Onishi family — hereditary釜師 (kettle makers) to the Senke schools of tea — lending this kettle significant scholarly and artistic authority. Authenticated Momoyama-period Amidado kettles attributed to Tsuji Yojiro are among the most revered objects in Japanese tea ceremony culture, and this example, with its Onishi Josetsu provenance, represents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of genuine historical depth and connoisseurship. The kettle is accompanied by its original wooden storage box (tomobako), the darkened lid of which bears ink inscriptions in cursive script. The box shows age-appropriate wear including minor cracking to the interior and worm holes to the exterior, all consistent with considerable antiquity. Size Height: 24 cm Width: 26 cm Depth: 23 cm Weight 4,500 g / 4.5 kg Condition The kettle shows minor scratches and surface marks consistent with age and use; the iron patina and overall form are well-preserved. The accompanying wooden box displays age-related wear including interior cracking and exterior worm holes, consistent with a piece of considerable antiquity. Artist Profile 辻与次郎 Tsuji Yojiro (dates unknown) was the foremost iron kettle maker (kamashi) of the Momoyama period (late 16th – early 17th century). Born in Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture), he trained under Nishimura Donin at the Sanjo Kamanza foundry district in Kyoto, where he established his own workshop and became the personal kettle maker to the celebrated tea master Sen no Rikyu. Tsuji Yojiro was granted the honorary title "Tenka-ichi" (Foremost Under Heaven) by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi in recognition of his supreme skill. He is credited with creating the three forms most beloved by Rikyu — the Amidado, Unryu, and Yoho kettle shapes — and with pioneering two foundational techniques: yakinuki (re-firing the cast kettle to deepen the skin) and haochi (deliberately dropping the flange to evoke the elegance of ancient wares). No kettles bearing his inscriptions are known to survive, making authenticated attributions — such as the present work with its Onishi Josetsu kiwame — especially precious. Authentication by Onishi Josetsu (大西浄雪): Josetsu was the tenth-generation head of the Onishi family, hereditary釜師 to the Senke schools (Urasenke, Omotesenke, Mushanokōjisenke) and one of the Senke Jissoku — the ten artisan families who have served the tea world for generations. His authentication carries the full weight of the Onishi family's deep scholarly expertise in identifying and certifying historic kettles. NOITICE : The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.