Sen no Rikyū

Uncommon card · No. 194948

Sen no Rikyū (Japanese: 千 利休; 1522 – April 21, 1591), also known simply as Rikyū, was a Japanese tea master considered the most important influence on the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly the tradition of wabi-cha. He was also the first to emphasize several key aspects of the ceremony, including rustic simplicity, directness of approach and honesty of self. Originating from the Sengoku and Azuchi–Momoyama periods, these aspects of the tea ceremony persist. Three iemoto or sōke ('head houses') of tea ceremony are directly descended from Rikyū: the Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakōjisenke, all of which are dedicated to passing forward the teachings of their mutual family founder, Rikyū. They are collectively referred to as san senke.

Read on Wikipedia · Image painted by 長谷川等伯, calligraphy by 春屋宗園, Public domain