In our recent blog post, we talked about the history of the Japanese tea sage — Sen no Rikyu. Without a doubt, he had a significant effect on The Way of Tea in Japan, and his legacy continues to this day. Ultimately, there are three separate schools of Chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) that follow his teachings to this day, though they differ slightly. These schools are referred to as "San Senke" — Three Sen Families.
Briefly on Sen no Rikyu
Sen no Rikyu (1522 – 1591) is widely regarded as having had the most profound influence on the Japanese matcha tea ceremony. He refined and perfected 'wabi-cha', a style of tea ceremony rooted in the philosophy of wabi-sabi, first developed by tea masters such as Murata Jukō and Takeno Jōō.
Rikyu wanted to reform the existing lavish world of the tea ceremony. In his practice, he emphasized rustic simplicity, straightforwardness, and honesty of self. He took the Zen teachings he acquired as a monk with him to restructure the existing tea world in Japan.
Many people throughout the world still honor Sen no Rikyu and his teachings to this day.
What Are The San Senke?
The San Senke are the three historical households of Japanese tea, all of which follow the teachings of their founder, Sen no Rikyu. The three names are:
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Omotesenke
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Urasenke
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Mushakōjisenke
All of the three tea schools have their headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. They were initially founded by Sen no Rikyu's three great-grandchildren, who wished to continue their great-grandfather's teachings.
There was also a fourth school called Sakaisenke, which was the original school of Sen no Rikyu that had its headquarters in Sakai, Japan. It was succeeded by his son, Sen no Doan. Since Sen no Doan had no successors, the school quickly ceased to exist.
Aside from the San Senke, whose founders are directly related to Sen no Rikyu by blood, many tea schools in Japan have adopted the same tea philosophy of wabi-cha and wish to promote Sen no Rikyu's original philosophy. While they are not direct descendants of Sen no Rikyu, they have "ryu" at the end of their names, which means "style." Many of these schools were founded by Sen no Rikyu's direct disciples. There are currently around 50 such schools in Japan.
How Do The Three Tea Schools Differ?
Urasenke
Urasenke (裏千家) is the school with the biggest following in Japan to this day. Their headquarters, the Konnichi-an, was originally built as the retirement retreat of Sen no Rikyu's grandson, Sen Sotan. Sotan's fourth and youngest son, Sensō Sōshitsu, inherited it and founded Urasenke there.
Urasenke is known for its foamy, frothy matcha. They use pure, untreated bamboo to make tea.
Kasho-ken, one of the Omotosenke tea houses
Omotesenke
Omotesenke (表千家) is the second-biggest school in Japan. Their headquarters, the Fushin-an, is also located on Ogawa Street in Kyoto's Kamigyo Ward, not far from the Urasenke headquarters. The estate was originally reestablished by Sen no Rikyu's son-in-law, Sen Shoan, then passed down through Shoan's son, Sen Sotan, to Sotan's third son, Kōshin Sōsa, who founded Omotesenke there.
The Omotesenke school matcha tea is not as whisked as others. It also contains leaves and is free of foam. Omotosenke uses smoked bamboo to make its tea.
Mushakojisenke
Mushakojisanke (武者小路千家) is the smallest of the schools. While both Urasenke and Omotesenke inherited tea houses from Sen no Rikyu, Mushakojisanke was not established on the grounds of an inherited tea hut. Ichio Soshu, Sen no Rikyu's great-grandson, lived separately from the family and built his own teahouse, still practicing the original teachings of the tea master.
Mushanokojisenke's name comes from the street it faces, Musha no Koji Dori in Kyoto.
