Chado the Way of Tea by Sasaki Sanmi

Author:Sasaki Sanmi [Sanmi, Sasaki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8048-3716-3
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Tei-teito / kiyoki o hasu no / oncha kana Fuhaku

Amidst the fresh hasu it was so pleasant to enjoy your wonderful tea.

Gyôji (Events of the Month)

Seichû Ennô Mugen-ki

July 5th. This is a combined memorial for the eleventh head of Urasenke, Gengensai Seichû; the thirteenth, Ennôsai Tetchu; and the fourteenth, Mugensai Sekisô.

Gengensai had some titles that included Sen Sôshitsu, Fubô and Kyohaku. He was a son of the head of the Matsudaira Nuidono and was adopted by Nintokusai. He served Lord Matsuyama and persevered over a difficult period when the way of tea was on the decline after the Meiji Restoration. He was respected as the restorer of Urasenke. He established new methods such as the procedure adapted for tables and chairs, the use of a chabako with procedures named Setsu (winter), Getsu (autumn), Ka (spring) and Sen'yû (a kind of game, kagetsu). Since he was from the samurai class, the taste of his favourite items was masculine but artistic. He died at the age of sixty-eight on July 11th in the tenth year of Meiji (1877).

Ennôsai was a son of Yûmyôsai, and had titles such as Tetchû and Kan'un. He learned the way of tea from his parents. He made his way through the difficult period in the way of tea towards the end of the Meiji period. He was a man of such great calibre and was so broad-minded and tolerant towards all sorts of men that he was able to considerably strengthen the foundation of Urasenke. He died at the age of fifty-three on August 5th in the thirteenth year of Taishô (1924).

Mugensai was the eldest son of Ennôsai. His other names were Genkusai, Tantansai and Baishian. After he presented tea to the empress in the fourteenth year of Taishô (1925), he recommended the way of tea to the prince and other blood relatives. He also often presented and served tea at shrines and temples. He established Tanko-kai to unify procedures and founded the International cultural Society of the Way of Tea for overseas propagation and international exchange. He was awarded the Medal of Honour with Dark-Blue Ribbon, the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon and the Third Order of Merit with the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun. He died at the age of seventy-two on September 7th in the thirty-ninth year of Showa (1964).

Tanabata matsuri

Anything related to the Star Festival (Festival of the Weaver) may be incorporated, and not only on July 7th but anytime from the beginning of the month. Though schools and others have the festival according to the solar calendar, it was originally on the lunar calendar. If one goes with the solar calendar, one cannot see the beautiful Milky Way, or tsuyu-kusa (spider-wort) or even have the artistic appreciation that Bashô must have had when he composed the following poem:

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