2025 New Year’s Keiko-hajime, Tokyo

News & Announcements

Following the Konnichian Keiko-hajime (ceremony starting off the year’s chanoyu practice sessions) that was held at the Urasenke Head House, Kyoto, the Konnichian Tokyo Keiko-hajime took place from January 16 (Thu) through January 18 (Sat) at the Urasenke Tokyo Dōjō (Shinjuku ward, Tokyo).

Due to the passing of H.I.H. Princess Yuriko of Mikasa in November last year, the annual Konnichian Hatsugama-shiki (celebratory New Year’s Tea) was held as Keiko-hajime at both locations. The Tokyo Dōjō’s Totsutotsusai room was the venue for the ceremony in Tokyo, and just as at the Kyoto event, in the alcove there hung the scroll featuring the words 「夢想」 (musō, “dream”) written by Genpaku Sōtan, and 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 consisted of Konnichan elders and Tankōkai officers. Iemoto SEN Sōshitsu (Zabōsai) and Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu expressed their New Year’s greetings, within which Iemoto stated, “I will strive to firmly convey the chanoyu spirit to all locales, so please support me in this endeavor.” This was followed by the serving of Gengensai’s favored Hishihanabira confection, and then Iemoto prepared koicha (thick matcha) in the kakufukudate (individual servings) manner.

The Shōhō-no-ma room had been prepared as a venue for serving usucha (thin matcha). Wakasōshō 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.