Wooden Well Pulley For Chanoyu. Japan, Edo And Muromachi Periods.

An important Japanese wooden pulley used in chanoyu. This type of pulley was used during the tea ceremony to draw water from the well.
Sturdy, all-wood construction, featuring a large grooved wheel held between two vertical posts. The piece displays a beautiful dark patina and signs of long-term use.
The wrought-iron assembly—consisting of a loop and clasp—located at the top is remarkable for its unusual shape and dimensions. It is highly likely that it is much older than the pulley itself, as the costly wrought-iron fittings were salvaged from old pulleys to be refitted onto new ones. Its simplicity, medieval appearance, and the power it exudes are characteristic of the Nambokucho and Muromachi periods.
The combination of weathered wood and this powerful wrought-iron element aligns well with the wabi aesthetic associated with chanoyu.
Japan, wooden part from the Edo period (1603–1868). Earlier wrought-iron parts. Height: 45 cm; Diameter: 30 cm
The oxidized iron parts and the wheel, which is partially cracked but fully functional.