This July 2008 issue of Me no Me (目の眼) is a beautifully illustrated Japanese magazine devoted to antiques, traditional crafts, ceramics, tea utensils, and classical Japanese art. Long appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts, Me no Me explores objects not only for their age and rarity, but also for their craftsmanship, cultural background, and aesthetic character.
The principal feature of this issue is 「茶箱と茶籠 ― 愛すべき数寄の世界」 (Chabako to Chakago – The Beloved World of Sukiya), dedicated to chabako (茶箱), portable tea ceremony boxes, and chakago (茶籠), tea baskets. These compact sets were designed to carry the utensils necessary for preparing tea away from the formal tearoom, combining practicality with the refined sensibility of chanoyu.
The feature introduces a fascinating variety of tea boxes, woven baskets, chawan tea bowls, lacquerware, tea caddies, tea scoops and other miniature tea utensils, showing how carefully selected objects could be assembled into highly personal travelling tea sets. The cover itself beautifully illustrates this spirit, displaying an antique basket-style tea box alongside a small bowl, lacquer vessel, blue-and-white utensil and chashaku.
Beyond the main feature, the magazine offers further articles related to Japanese and East Asian antiques and fine arts, making it a wonderful visual reference for collectors, dealers, tea ceremony enthusiasts and anyone interested in traditional Japanese material culture.
Size: 15 x 21cm
