Oishinbo - Vol. 12 Ch. 104 - The Point of Gold

[MangaDex]

 

[d_a_renoir]

I mean, if anything Rikyu should be the "host" rather than the guest most of the time. Rikyu was more or less employed by Hideyoshi and should be the one making the tea for other guests in the golden tearoom, such as imperial courtiers. Some theory even say that Rikyu was the one who was instructed to build the room in the first place.

Other stories also say that Rikyu devised an interesting event in it by having the tea ceremony at night, and with only minimal candle lighting the gold looks less hideously "over the top" LOL.

 

[Mugiwara325]

I mean, if anything Rikyu should be the "host" rather than the guest most of the time. Rikyu was more or less employed by Hideyoshi and should be the one making the tea for other guests in the golden tearoom, such as imperial courtiers. Some theory even say that Rikyu was the one who was instructed to build the room in the first place.

Other stories also say that Rikyu devised an interesting event in it by having the tea ceremony at night, and with only minimal candle lighting the gold looks less hideously "over the top" LOL.

Yeah, my sources couldn't agree whether Hideyoshi commissioned the golden tearoom to impress Rikyu, or if Rikyu himself commissioned the tearoom through Hideyoshi. Despite Rikyu's image as a man of modesty and humility, there are times when he demonstrates a desire for opulence.

The reality is likely more nuanced, he is human after all.

 

[d_a_renoir]

Yeah, my sources couldn't agree whether Hideyoshi commissioned the golden tearoom to impress Rikyu, or if Rikyu himself commissioned the tearoom through Hideyoshi. Despite Rikyu's image as a man of modesty and humility, there are times when he demonstrates a desire for opulence.

The reality is likely more nuanced, he is human after all.

Oh, sure. The issue about the uncertainty is that clear documentation of Rikyu being involved in the construction has yet to be found. It's not about the wabi sabi culture. Anyone who is careful with historicity would just not dare to make a definitive claim.
I honestly never heard of the variation where Hideyoshi wants to impress Rikyu, though. Typically it was said to be used to show off to the emperor.

 

[Mugiwara325]

Oh, sure. The issue about the uncertainty is that clear documentation of Rikyu being involved in the construction has yet to be found. It's not about the wabi sabi culture. Anyone who is careful with historicity would just not dare to make a definitive claim.
I honestly never heard of the variation where Hideyoshi wants to impress Rikyu, though. Typically it was said to be used to show off to the emperor.

Hmm, interesting!
I am unable to rediscover the source where I read that Hideyoshi built this for Rikyu, so I'm starting to worry I've hallucinated it somehow. I shall edit the notes to be more general.
While we're on the topic, you seem to be pretty knowledgeable on the topic of Sen no Rikyu. Could I ask where you learned all this information? I never know if Sen no Rikyu will come up again, but if he does, I'd like to be less wishy-washy on the facts.

 

[d_a_renoir]

Hmm, interesting!
I am unable to rediscover the source where I read that Hideyoshi built this for Rikyu, so I'm starting to worry I've hallucinated it somehow. I shall edit the notes to be more general.
While we're on the topic, you seem to be pretty knowledgeable on the topic of Sen no Rikyu. Could I ask where you learned all this information? I never know if Sen no Rikyu will come up again, but if he does, I'd like to be less wishy-washy on the facts.

This particular thing about the tea room was mentioned in museums I think?

https://www.asobo-saga.jp/articles/detail/9f2c968f-4568-4a45-9277-54dadde1b6cc

https://www.aichi-kyosai.or.jp/service/culture/internet/art/antique/antique_1/post_92.html

The other stuff I read in various other history books or articles. Just search the subject in Japanese and find the website that looks most reputable (government sites, education websites, news article, etc). Sometimes these sites would actually quote the old manuscripts directly.

 

[Mugiwara325]

Ah, I see what happened. I was so fixated on the Tokugawa tea set, I neglected to study further on Hideyoshi's tea set. Silly me.

Thanks for keeping my facts in check! I always appreciate it.