On Tuesday September 30, 2025, the honsō, or main funeral, and memorial service for the ki-ake, or end-of-mourning-period, for the 15^th Urasenke Konnichian iemoto, Hōunsai Hansō Sōshitsu Koji, was held at Daitokuji Jukōin temple, in the Kita ward of Kyoto city. The participating priests were His Eminence the Great Zen Master TAKADA Myōhō, Chief Abbot of Daitokuji temple; the Great Zen Master TAJIMA Sekiō Suimōken, Master of the Monks’ Hall at Nanshūji temple (Daitokuji advisor); the Great Zen Master UNO Kōken Keiunshitsu, Master of the Monks’ Hall at Daitokuji temple; the chief priest of Hōjōan temple (Daitokuji advisor); and chief priests of the sub-temples within the Daitokuji precincts. The attendees were Iemoto and Madam SEN Sōshitsu, Wakasōshō SEN Sōshi, other members of the Head Family, relatives, and Konnichian deputy tea masters (gyōtei).

At 9:30 AM, the three presiding priests entered the hall and the ceremony commenced. First, Iemoto solemnly performed the chatō-no-gi procedures to prepare the special bowl of tea, and offered that bowl of tea to the portrait of Hōunsai Sōshō.

Following this, His Eminence Chief Abbot TAKADA Myōhō took his position as the officiating priest, and once Hōshun’in Chief Priest AKIYOSHI Sokushū and Jukōin Chief Priest ONOZAWA Kodō respectively performed the tentō (offering of hot water) and tencha (offering of tea), the Chief Abbot cried out “kwatz!” to send Hōunsai Sōshō’s soul off to the world beyond. The priests then began chanting sutras, while the attendees all, in turn, filed up to the offering table to burn incense, and they all prayed for the repose of the soul of Hōunsai Sōshō.

When the service came to a close, Iemoto gave an address, in which he mentioned about Hōunsai Sōshō’s dōgo (monastic name), stating, “Through the name ‘Hansō’ (汎叟, literally “across-the-board venerable old man”) bestowed upon him by Daitokuji, I believe my father truly received immense strength,” and ended by stating, “I extend my gratitude to all of you of the monastery for attending today, and to His Eminence the Chief Abbot for the wonderful final invocation.”

Following the funeral service, the interment ceremony was conducted. With Chief Priest ONOZAWA officiating, the Head Family members, relatives, and gyōtei offered incense at the grave, bidding their final farewell to Hōunsai Sōshō.

Additionally, the shoin room at Jukōin was arranged for preparing and serving tea, using sentimental implements connected with Hōunsai Hansō Sōshitsu Koji.