― In Memory of Rikyū’s Legacy ―

On March 28, 2025 (Friday), the Rikyū Memorial, one of the three major annual memorial observances of the Urasenke head family, was held. About 340 Urasenke followers from within and outside Japan attended it.

The service, held in the Chōfu-no-ma within the Heisei Chashitsu, began at 9:00 A.M. For the tea-offering ceremony, or chatō-no-gi, Iemoto SEN Sōshitsu first performed the charcoal-laying, then solemnly prepared the tea offering. As Daisōshō intoned the Buddhist “Four Great Vows” (Shiguseigan), Wakasōshō SEN Sōshi set the tea before the Rikyū portrait, and everyone quietly put their palms together in prayer.

Next, Iemoto prepared individual bowls of koicha (thick tea) and Wakasōshō conveyed it to the representative guests. They were SHIMOMURA Hirofumi (Tankōkai Assistant Councilor, Osaka West Chapter Vice President), and the following attendees holding the Meiyo Shihan (Distinguished Master) title: HONMA Sōju (Tankōkai Kyoto South Chapter Counselor), MASUDA Sōbō (Tankōkai Tokyo Chapter VI East Counselor), and UEMATSU Sōkei (Tankōkai Tokyo Chapter V East Counselor).

Following that, the Meiyo Shihan title presentation ceremony took place, and that high title was presented to 15 individuals who have contributed significantly to the Urasenke chadō tradition over many long years.

Next in this same room, members of the Konnichian corps of deputy tea masters conducted Hanayose-no-shiki, groups of Urasenke chadō practitioners who study directly under the Iemoto conducted other Shichijishiki group chanoyu exercises, and in the Chadō Kaikan, the ensemble of implements used for the Rikyū Memorial main service were placed on display.

Hanayose-no-shiki

Note: During these Shichijishiki group exercises, the method now is to not reuse the tea bowls but to employ a fresh one for each bowl of tea.

In the Kangetsu-no-ma within the Heisei Chashitsu, and in the Urasenke Gakuen school building, there were auxiliary venues. In the one within the Kangetsu-no-ma, Iemoto’s wife Madam SEN Masako, with Madam IZUMI Hiromi, provided the hospitality.