Seichū Hōun Memorial
On July 5 this year (2026), a “Seichū- Hōun-ki” took place at the Urasenke home in Kyoto. Until this year, the memorial (ki) held annually on this day, constituting one of the three major memorials held at the Urasenke home, took place as the “Seichū- Ennō- Mugen-ki.” From this year, however, the name has been changed to “Seichū- Hōun-ki.” Approximately 320 Urasenke followers, including 129 specially invited participants, attended this memorial.
The accomplishments of the 11th generation in the Urasenke line, Gengensai Seichū koji (1810-77; the term “koji” is his posthumous Buddhist title), include his addition of the Totsutotsusai and Hōsensai rooms to the Konnichian complex, his designing of the ryūrei (tea-making table) style of chanoyu, and his creation of a number of tea-making methods that employ chabako (boxed tea equipment). He pointed out the path for the Way of Tea in the new era of the nation’s transition into a “modern state,” and is regarded as the father of the revival of chanoyu in the modern period. Hōunsai Hansō Sōshitsu koji, the 15th generation in the Urasenke line, held Master Gengensai in very high regard. In that both he and Master Gengensai passed away in the summer, the memorial has been changed from this year, to be dedicated to the two of them.
The program of events commenced in the Chōfū-no-ma within the Heisei Chashitsu at 9:00 A.M., with Iemoto SEN Sōshitsu conducting the chatō-no-gi ceremonial matcha preparation. Wakasōshō SEN Sōshi placed that special form of matcha offering on the low table that was arranged below the portrait of Gengensai Seichū koji which hung in the alcove, and everyone silently placed their palms together in gasshō, honoring the memory of the two masters, Gengensai and Hōunsai.
Next, Iemoto prepared a bowl of koicha, and Wakasōshō conveyed it to the representative guests. They were KAMATA Bunkei (Honorary President, Tankōkai Miyagi Chapter), IKI Yasumichi (Tankōkai Advisor; Okayama Chapter Advisor), IKI Masako, and TANAKA Tokubei (Vice President, Tankōkai Saitama Chapter).
Next in the Chōfu-no-ma, members of the corps of Konnichian deputy tea masters performed the Seiyū-no-shiki, a shichijishiki chanoyu training exercise designed by Master Hōunsai. (Note: the Seiyū-no-shiki is scheduled to be introduced soon in the monthly Tankō magazine.)
Following that, the Konnichian deputy tea masters conducted Hanayose-no-shiki, and members of the Jikishinkai and Shikukai study groups, as well as of the Shūchikukai study group — all three of which receive their training directly at Konnichian — conducted offerings of the San’yu-no-shiki and Kagetsu with koicha.
Hanayose-no-shiki
At the Chado Kaikan across the street, the articles which were used for this time’s Seichū Hōun Memorial were on display.
There were two auxiliary venues where attendees were served sweets and usucha. At that in the Kangetsu-no-ma on the second floor of the Heisei Chashitsu, Madam SEN Masako and Madam IZUMI Hiromi provided the hospitality. The other auxiliary venue was at the Chado Kaikan.
