1903, Tomioka Tessai, Tea Hermit of Awata -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label:
The green peaks behind the malachite blue rocks and inky trees in this work illustrate Tessai's early study of traditional Japanese painting. The artist was fascinated by all aspects of the history of tea in Japan, an interest that culminated in his focus on this little-known tea master who lived in seclusion in Awata, to the east of Kyoto. In his inscription, Tessai writes of the man's story. The hermit lived in poverty but owned a prized cast-iron tea kettle for heating water. When a powerful warlord sent an emissary to purchase the kettle, the hermit rejected any price. Tessai's rendering may be the only one made of this obscure story.
1903, Tomioka Tessai, Tea Hermit of Awata -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label:
The green peaks behind the malachite blue rocks and inky trees in this work illustrate Tessai's early study of traditional Japanese painting. The artist was fascinated by all aspects of the history of tea in Japan, an interest that culminated in his focus on this little-known tea master who lived in seclusion in Awata, to the east of Kyoto. In his inscription, Tessai writes of the man's story. The hermit lived in poverty but owned a prized cast-iron tea kettle for heating water. When a powerful warlord sent an emissary to purchase the kettle, the hermit rejected any price. Tessai's rendering may be the only one made of this obscure story.