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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:30 am
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:32 am
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:47 am
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:19 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:35 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:58 pm
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Sen no Rikyū
Sen no Rikyu was born in 1522 and began studying tea at an early age and his Zen training at Daitoku-ji Temple in northwest Kyoto soon followed.
He was instramental in the popularization of the modern Chanoya Tea Ceremony and by age fifty-eight he had earned the position of the Tea Master to Oda Nobunaga, one of the most powerful men in Japan. After Nobunaga’s assassination, he became the tea master for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nobunaga’s successor.
When Hideyoshi hosted a tea at the Imperial Palace in 1585, Rikyu received the Buddhist rank of koji from the Emperor himself.
Rikyū taught that there were four key elements in tea- Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility. He introduced the concept of wabi-sabi, elegance in simplicity to Japanese tea culture, shifting the popular practice from Sencha to Chanoya.
Many of the prescribed behaviors used in contemporary Japanese tea ceremony were introduced by him- including the basic style of the tea house. He designed new tea serving utensils and also implemented the use of small lanterns as garden decorations.
Although Rikyu’s tea ceremony is closely associated with Zen Buddhism, three of Rikyu’s seven disciples were devote Christians.
Rikyu’s relationship with Hideyoshi was a complex. Rikyu functioned both as a tea master and an adviser. Rikyu refused Hideyoshi’s request to take Rikyu’s daughter as a concubine and it damaged their relationship beyond repair.
Legend says that Hideyoshi was enraged when he entered the gate of Daitoku-ji temple and saw a statue of Rikyu, a great insult since Hideyoshi had funded the building of the temple. Hideyoshi ordered the ritual suicide of Rikyu.
Before his death, Rikyu called together his family and disciples. He then composed his death poem.
I raise the sword. This sword of mine; Long in my possession. The time is come at last. Skyward I throw it up!
Legend also says that upon Rikyu's death, Hideyoshi mourned and repented- wounded by the loss of such an amazing person.
------------------------------------------------------------------ Though many people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea, tea will drink you up.
-Sen no Rikyū
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Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:02 pm
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:42 am
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:27 pm
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:56 pm
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:18 am
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:29 am
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