2025 New Year’s Keiko-hajime
The Konnichian Keiko-hajime (ceremony starting off the year’s chanoyu practice sessions) that was observed this year―a Wood Snake year―began on January 7 (Tue) at the Urasenke Head House.
Due to the passing of H.I.H. Princess Yuriko of Mikasa in November last year, the Head House’s annual Hatsugama-shiki (celebratory New Year’s Tea) was held as Keiko-hajime. During the scheduled five days of this event in Kyoto, which ended on January 11 (Sat), the number of attendees was approximately 1,600. They principally were high-ranking Urasenke chadō teachers, officers of the Urasenke-affiliated corporate bodies, and presidents of the Tankōkai chapters based in western Japan. During the three days of the Konnichian Tokyo Keiko-hajime taking place at the Urasenke Tokyo Dōjō January 16 (Thu) through January 18 (Sat), approximately 1,500 Urasenke followers based in eastern Japan are expected to attend.

In the alcove of the Chōfū-no-ma room within the Heisei Chashitsu, which was the venue for the ceremony, there hung a scroll that, reflecting the subject of this year’s Imperial Poetry Contest, featured the words 「夢想」 (musō, “dream”) written by Genpaku Sōtan. On the tenchaban tea-making table installed in the tea-making area of the room, there was a matching set of implements favored by Iemoto Zabōsai. The guests who entered for the very first seating included Konnichan elders and Tankōkai officers.


Firstly, Iemoto SEN Sōshitsu (Zabōsai) and Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu entered and expressed their greetings. Iemoto said, “I want foremost to think about and study how to firmly pass chanoyu on to the next generation.” This was followed by the serving of Hishihanabira, which is a confection that Gengensai favored, and then Iemoto prepared an individual serving of koicha (thick matcha), which IZUMI Sōyō conveyed it to the lead guest.

The Kangetsu-no-ma room on the 2nd floor of the Heisei Chashitsu had been prepared as a venue for serving usucha (thin matcha). Wakasosho SEN Sōshi, Iemoto’s wife SEN Masako, IZUMI Hiromi, and IZUMI Sōrei provided the hospitality here, offering the guests a bowl of usucha that evinced the New Year’s spirit by means of the poetic names and decorations related to this year’s zodiac sign, and other such means.

