Not long after Golden Week, I spent a day visiting museums.
I’d always enjoyed exhibitions featuring famous artists like Van Gogh and Monet, but my interest in tea utensils has only grown quite recently.
I also have a weakness for the words “limited-time only.”
When I heard that the MOA Museum of Art in Atami was holding a special exhibition called The Wabi and Miyabi of Tea, I couldn’t resist.
The exhibition brought together two National Treasures—the Kizaemon Ido tea bowl and the Tea Jar with Wisteria Design—for the first time in 36 years.
I had no idea when I’d ever have another chance to see them side by side, so I ended up visiting just before the exhibition closed.
It took about three hours by train to reach Atami early enough to enter when the museum opened.
From the station, a bus climbed high into the hills, and on the way to the exhibition galleries, I passed through the museum’s long, softly lit escalator corridor.
It almost felt like entering another world.
One detail I especially appreciated was how the tea utensils were displayed.
Except for the National Treasures, many of them were placed surprisingly low, almost as if they were arranged on tatami mats for a tea gathering.
Because I arrived first thing in the morning, there were only a few other visitors.
I found myself crouching down in front of each piece and taking my time.
Toward the end of the exhibition, I finally reached the gallery displaying the two National Treasures.
I was happy to find that both could be viewed from every angle.
The tea jar belongs to the MOA Museum of Art, while the famous Kizaemon Ido tea bowl is owned by Kohō-an, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto.
Since the bowl is occasionally lent to special exhibitions, I hope I’ll have the chance to see it again someday.
I was especially drawn to the tea jar decorated with wisteria blossoms.
I liked it so much that I ended up buying a handkerchief with its design in the museum shop before leaving.
The museum also has a quiet café where visitors can enjoy matcha and traditional Japanese sweets.
It was the perfect place to slow down after the exhibition.
As I left the museum, I paused on the outdoor steps and looked out over the wide blue sea.
That view made me feel that summer was quietly on its way, bringing my short trip to Atami to a gentle close.
