Sen No Rikyu Sen

Sen No Rikyu The most influential Japanese tea leaftime leaf leaf leaftime leaf original in Japans annals is considered to be Sen No Rikyu. He made the tea observance Chanoyu ( carriage of tea) into an art form. Sen no Rikyu was natural in 1522 to the name of Yoshiro in the merchant city of Sakai. Rikyu was born to a prominent family, his father, Yohei, was a city council member (The Japanese Way, 1998) as sound as an accomplished merchant. (Above) Sen No Rikyu Developing of Wabi-Cha Wabi-Cha is a Japanese ascertain of drinking tea. As express in the article Two for afternoon tea The Wabi refers to the beauty that is found in simple things and Cha means tea. Japan Journal) At a young age Sen No Rikyu began to study tea Lords Supper under Kitamuki Dochi. During his time with kitamuki Dochi, he studied the elegant tea traditions of Higashiyama, which resembles that of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony and is best suited for a shoin room. (Fujimori, 2007) See link for a brief definition of a Shoin means http//www. metmuseum. org/toah/works-of-art/shoin_room At the age of 19 Sen No Rikyu began to study under Takeno Jo-o, where he learned the contemporary zeal of tea ceremony.This type of tea ceremony was best suited for a sm all tolder room, known as thatched tea residence. In the Daitoku-ji temple, located northwest of Kyoto, Rikyu underwent social disease training as a Zen-Buddhist. After his training he changed his name to Sen Soueki (Japanese). By combining these both different methods of tea ceremonies, he was able to create a spic-and-span foundation for tea ceremonies as declared in the article Rikyu and the fruition of the way of tea As this indicates, Rikyu first studied with Kitamuki Dochin, who practiced the Higashiyama style of tea that had come down from Noami.Thereafter, he studied with Joo in the Juko tradition, and by conjoining these two strands, he was able to construct a new solid ground for the success of Chanoyu. (The Japanese Way, 1998) (Above) Daitoku-Ji temple Daitoku-ji temple Video http//www. youtube. com/watch? v=XlurloSuiC0 Sen no Rikyu continue to perfect his tea ceremonial style of Wabi and by 1580 he had fashioned what we know today as Wabi-Cha. As admit in Three Chanoyou and Momoyama contradict and transformation in Rikyu art A number of tea assemblages were recorded which suggest further development of his list toward Wabi sensitivities.In the summer of 1577 he held a convention to open his tea room, credibly in Sakai, and invited Matsue Ryusen, Tennojiya Doshitsu, and Tsuda Sogyu apart from the Koshima bowl, all his tea articles were common and plain, and the meal (kaiseki) was sort of simple. The next year he a come to held a simple gathering in his small room (kozashiki). He continued also to drove tea gatherings at which he employ the daisu stand, only when by 1580 it is get that he had highly-developed a strong Wabi style. ( tea in Japan, 1998) Thatched tea house Entran ce of a Thatched tea houseTea ceremony For a full description a of Thatched tea house build by Sen no Rikyu attend to the first three minutes of this YouTube video http//www. youtube. com/watch? v=WboHExBcKSg advantage as tea lord From a young age Sen No Rikyu was a talented tea ceremony host, this is known through the consequence of people writing about his tea ceremonial talent. As say in the article Tea and council The political subroutine of Sen Rikyu A cryptic Nara merchant recorded in his diary that he had attended a tea ceremony hosted by the fifteen-year-old Rikyu.This shows that the boy must have been sufficiently accomplished to serve tea to such an important man and that already at this age he had successfully entered the exclusive circle of the right on commercial elite. (Bordat, 1977) There isnt a great deal of learning about Rikyu middle years. What its know is that he continue to developed his tea ceremony methods and became popular among other tea masters of Sakai.As stated in the article Three Chanoyu and Momoyama Conflict and shift in Rikyus Art When Rikyu invited his teacher Joo to a gathering in 1544, further seven months in advance Joos death, he used a Korean tea bowl, a tympanic membrane with a pattern of clouds and dragons, a Hotei incense container, a Kinrinji tea caddy, and a water supply jug of Shigaraki earthenware, and displayed a painting by Mu Chi with his own inscription in the alcove. These were all suitably priceless articles to show that Rikyu was in the first pose of Sakai tea men.A decade subsequently Rikyu hosted a gathering with Imai Sokyu as the only guest, and Sokyus account shows that Rikyu continued to catch and use famous and valuable articles he placed a Semehimo kettle in the hearth, narcissus flowers in the highly-prized Tsuru no Hitokoe flower vase, and used a Shigaraki water jug, a Korean tea bowl, and the celebrated Narashiba Katatsuki tea caddy which had been erotic love by Torii Insetsu and was afterward passed to Shimai Soshitsu of Hakata and, finally, to Hideyoshi (I should discuss about him later on).The available records gum olibanum make clear that Rikyu from an early age shared with the other Sakai tea men a liking for the collection and display of valuable articles, and he developed his aesthetic sense in accordance with his training in the Higashiyama tradition. (Ludwig, 1989) Below are two of Sen No Rikyu best saying though legion(predicate) people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea, tea will drink you up. and The Way of Tea is naught but this first you boil water, then you make the tea and drink it. Sen No Rikyu and his political rise.Even though Sen No Rikyu was a well known tea master, he never serve tea to the most powerful Daimyo of the neighborhood Oda Nobunaga, as stated in the article Three Chanyu and Momoyama Conflict and displacement Rikyus Art Rikyu never attained such importance with Nobunaga, peradventure because his merchant family was not as powerful in Sakai. Approximately in 1570 Sen no Rikyu was introduced to Oda Nobunaga, during this period Nobunaga was attempting the unification of Japan. Nobunaga who popularized Sen no Rikyu tea ceremony used it originally as a way to talk politics and business. Oda Nobunaga Biography) Rikyu along with Imai Sokyu, and Tsuda Sogyu, were placed in charge of tea ceremonies for Nobunaga. By 1575 Rikyu was acting tea master for Nobunaga as stated in the article Three Chanoyou and Momoyama Conflict and transformation in Rikyu art At a victory exultation after in 1575, Nobunaga turned to chanoyu and hosted a deluxe gathering at Myokoji Temple, inviting seventeen tea men from Kyoto and Sakai to display and use his many treasured tea articles.Rikyus role in this sumptuous ceremony is indicated in Shincho Koki by the phrase sado wa Soeki, show that Rikyu acted as tea master for Nobunaga. (Ludwig, 1989). (Above) Oda Nobunaga Rikyu continue to gain prestige above the other two te a master, mostly due to Nobunagas preference for Rikyu as he had fabricate his secretary and highly trusted middleman. (Bodart, 1977) During this same period Rikyu was an established merchant that supported Nobunagas hunting expedition as stated in the turn up Tea in Japan In a letter from Nobunaga regale to Rikyu there is this note of thanks for a thousand musket balls.As Nobunaga continue to gain land he wanted to transform Chanoyu into his own obstinacy (Kamakura, 1989), causing it to wrick a national practice, as it was way of showing Nobunagas supremacy. In 1582 Oda Nobunaga was assassinated, after a power struggle Toyotomi Hideyoshi lead most of Nobunagas clan and land. During this period Rikyu ingenuity ascended to new senior high as well as his political power.In 1585 for the first time tea was formally presented to the Emperor, Emperor Ogimachi, at the Imperial Palace. As Rikyu didnt posses rank or status he could not attend the ceremony, this issue was solve and is best describe in the essay Sen No Rikyu Inquiries into his livelihood In order to be admitted into the palace either to have such as high rank and office, or alternatively, to assume the status of a non-Christian priest who transcendent lay distinctions.Thus Rikyu took the priestly designation of Koji (Buddhist Layman) It is also consider that at this time Rikyu rose from one of many tea master to become Tenka Gosado the tea master of Japan. (Bodart, 1977) (Above) Toyotomi Hideyoshi During Hideyoshi reign Rikyu political power increase so much so that he played a central role as stated in the article Three Chanyu and Momoyama Conflict and Transformation Rikyus ArtWith Hideyoshi in control, the political use of the leading tea masters continued, and Rikyu played a central role.This butt be seen from his earn of 1584 and 1585, which show he was well informed of Hideyoshis plans in the campaign against Oda Nobukatsus and Tokugawa Ieyasus forces and the Etchu campaign against the Sa ssa, took a deep interest in these military affairs, and was even accustomed responsibility in the custody of Osaka. (Ludwig, 1989) (Above) Osaka Castle Sen No Rikyu Death Rikyu became to a greater extent than a tea master to Hideyoshi, he was often an advisor on other matters. Hideytoshi allow Rikyu to maintain his independence, but disagreements cause their relationship to fail.It is believe that when Rykyu refused Hideyoshis request to take Rikyus daughter as a concubine, the relationship broke and never recovered. (Zen)In 1591 Hideyoshi eventually order Rikyu to commit Seppuku (Ritual suicide) the square(a) reasons are not know but according to the Article Zen stories of Samurai Tradition holds that Hideyoshi was infuriated when he entered the gate of Daitoku-ji temple (whose construction he had funded) and saw that he was walking under a statue of Rikyu Just before his death, Rikyu called together his family and disciples.He then composed his death poem. I raise the stain. T his sword of mine Long in my possession. The time is come at last. skywards I throw it up Sen No Rikyu Legacy Sen No Rikyu legacy can still be seen today in Japanese tea ceremonies. As he perfected the Way of Tea this cause all of the earlier styles of tea ceremonies to vanished with Rikyu death. Today all modern styles of tea ceremonies can be traced directly or indirectly to Rikyu. After his death Rikyu family bewildered and when into hiding as stated in the article A rief register of Chanoyu Though the family had been scattered and were in hiding in the residences of variant generals , his son Shoan and grandson Sotan, succeeded in reestablishing the family name and reassembling their possessions. They began their task by rebuilding the Zangetsutei and Fushinan tea houses at Ogawa Teranouchi in Kyoto. Today three Sen families exists, this families continue the tradition of safekeeping a memorial service every month at the vulgar family temple. (A Brief) (Above) Sen No Riky u Grave A timeline of the Chonoyu can be view at this link ttp//www. tea-passage. com/timeline. html Reference A Brief history of chanoyu. (n. d. ). Retrieved fromhttp//cla. calpoly. edu/bmori/syll/Hum310japan/Tea%20History. html Bodart, B. M. (1977). Tea and counsel. the political role of sen rikyu. Monumenta Nipponica,32(1), FUJIMORI, T. (2007, August). Two for tea. Retrieved from http//www. japanjournal. jp/tjje/show_art. php? INDyear=07INDmon=08artid=f163e1f847cf981422ef0f1ccc Kumakura, Isao. (1989). Sen no rikyu inquiries into his life and tea. Tea in Japan Essays on the History of Chanoyu, 33.Ludwig, T. M. (1989). Tea in japan essays on the history of chanoyu.. capital of Hawaii HI University of Hawaii Press. Oda nobunaga life sentence. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http//www. biographybase. com/biography/Oda_Nobunaga. html The Japanese way of tea from its origins in china to sen rikyu. (1998). Honolulu HI University of Hawaii Press. Tea in Japan essays on the history of chanoyu. (1998). Honolulu HI University of Hawaii Press. Zen stories of the samurai. (n. d. ). Retrieved fromhttp//www. zenstoriesofthesamurai. com/Characters/Sen%20no%20Rikyu. htm