Matcha

[Musyakouji Senke]
Musyanokouji Senke is one of the three houses (families) descended from Sen no Rikyu, the Japanese Tea master who perfected the Way of Tea in the 16th century. The title of the house were passed down to the second-generation master, Sen Shoan and the third, Sen Sotan. After Sen Sotan, the family was devided into three branches, and the originator of Mushakouji Senke was Ichiousoushu, the second son of Sen Soutan, who was also known as Kankyuan.
The family line “Soushu” has been succeeded.

Fourth Generation: Ichiou Soushu (1605-1675)
The second son of Sen Soutan, the third generation master. Kichimonjiya Yosouemon who was Nushi (lacquer painter) adopted him and he named himself as Jinuemon. After he conceded his son-in-low Nakamura Soutetsu the family business of Kichimonjiya, he returned to the Senke family.
He served to the Takamatsu-Matsudaira family as Sadou ( person who teaches noble people the Japanese tea ceremony). In 1667, he retired Sadou and built the Kankyuan (the tea house) in Musyakoujiogawa, Kyoto. It was the beginning of the Mushakouji Senke.
He died in 1675 at the age of 83

Fifth Generation: Kyoyusai Bunshoku (1658-1708)
The son of the fourth generation master Soushu. He was named Jinshiro, then later he changed his name as Soushu.
He servesd the Takamatsu-Matsudaira family after his father. He had a great eye for object of antique.

Sixth Generation: Seiseisai Shinpaku (1693-1745)
His childhood name was Jyujirou, who was the son of the fifth.
He was a great artist of calligraphy and pottery. Especially he had a great skill of pottery and he
made the copy of Kimamori Chawan (one of Rikyu Nana-shu "Seven kinds of tea bowls of Rikyu's choice” made by Raku Chojirou) which was handed down at the Musyakouji Senke family.
He died in 1745 at the of 53.

Seventh Generation: Jikisai Kensou (1725-1782)
He was the adopted children of the sixth generation master, whose childhood name was Hisanojou.
Natorigawa-Kougou and Genjigawa-Kougou (incence container) were his favorite tea utensils. Although Kankyuan was burned in a fire in 1772, he rebuild it 2 years later for 100 anniversary of the fourth generation master Ichiou’s death. At the same time, two new tea rooms; Ippouan and Koudouan (which had a space of 15 tatami) were built in the grounds.
He is said to be the founder of the renaissance of the Mushakouji Senke. He died in 1782 at the age of 58.

Eighth Generation: Ittousai Kyuou (1763-1838)
He was the son of Kawagoe Hyougono Kami, and he was adopted by the sixth generation master Jikisai at the age of 20.
He was a great craftsman and created new styles of shelfs such as Eboshidana, Tsubotsubodana and Jizaidana.
Died in 1838 at the age of 76.

Ninth Generation: Koukousai Ninou (1795-1835)
He was the third son of Fukensai who was the ninth generation master of Ura Senke. He was named Soujyu and Genshitu, later changed his name as Koukousai after he became Ittousai’s son-in-low.
He created lots of Chasaku (tea spoon) and Chawan (tea bowl) by himself.

Tenth Generation: Ishinsai Zendou (1830-1891)
He was the younger brother of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the ninth generation master Koukousai at the age of 6 and he named himself Zendo, to be an heir.
Unfortunately he lost his sight at the age of 8, the widow of Koukousai, the ninth generation master
carried out their business with help of Kidu Sousen who was their disciple, then letter the adopted children from Omote Senke succeeded Musyakouji Senke.
After he handed over his position, he named himself as Souan. He died in 1891 at the age of 62.

-Eleventh Generation: Issisai Issou (1848-1898)
He was the second son of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the tenth generation master Ishinsai and he succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu.
He built the Sodou (the tea room where ancestors are worshipped) that has been remained until today.
Because he was good at handwriting, he wrote Ichigyoumono ( Japanese hanging scroll for tea room) at the age around 7.
He died in 1898 at the age of 51.

Twelfth Generation: Yukousai Chousou (1889-1953)
The second son of Hisada Souetsu who is the third son of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the eleventh generation master, Issisai, and succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu. After death of Issisai, Hirose Rokou and Kidu Sousen carried out Musyakouji Senke until Yukousai became the age 20.
After graduation from Division of History, Tokyo Imperial University (Current the University of Tokyo), he criticized the Japanese Tea Ceremony logically for the first time in history, and it provided a breath of fresh air to the culture of Japanese Tea Ceremony.
In 1926, he reconstructed Kankyuan, then Koudouan in 1940 for the 350th anniversary of Sen no Rokyu’s death.
He left many books. Died in 1953 at the age of 65.

Thirteenth Generation: Urinsai Tokuou (1912-1999)
He was born in Kobe, and became son-in-low of the twelfth generation master Yukousai. He succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu.
He graduated from Division of History, Kyoto Imperial University (Current the University of Kyoto). He got married to Sumiko who was the daughter of Yukousai in 1941, then he succeeded as the thirteenth generation master in 1953.
He established both the Sen Sadou Bunka-Gakuin, the first school of Japanese Tea Ceremony in 1964 and Foundation of Kankyuan.
After he turned over his title, he named himself Souan. Died in 1999 at the age of 86.

Fourteenth Generation: Futetsusai Soushu (1945- )
The oldest son of the thirteenth generation master, he was named Houichi later Souya. After graduation from Keio University, he has given lectures and tea ceremonies in many countries to expand the culture of Japanese Tea Ceremony.
He succeeded the title of the fourteenth generation master in 1989.

[Kosai MIYAGAWA]
A Japanese potter in Kyoto.
The well-known family of Kyoyaki ceramic that has the history since the Edo period. The name “Kosai Miyagawa” has been succeeded from the first generation.
The Miyagawa family was originally from Miyagawamura in north Shiga, and Kohei Miyagawa moved to Kyoto then his son Chihei Masashige opened the tea bawl shop in Gojyo-saka, Kyoto.

First Generation: Kosai (1819-1865)
Born in Kyoto. His art name was Kosai and Akakon.
He started to use the name “Kosai” around 1848-54, and the name has been succeeded after him.

Second Generation (1846-1922)
He was an adopted child of the first Kosai. His real name was Kunajiro and art name were Kosai/Zenou/Chibei (after retirement).
He studied under Chozo Miyagawa who had a kiln in Makuzugahara with Toranosuke ( the first generation of Kozan Kagawa) and other potters.
In 1911 he got a order to create “Ichimonji Goji Utsushi Chawan” for the 650th anniversary of Saint Shinran’s death. He passed down the name of “Kosai” to his oldest son Shuzo and named himself as Chibei after his retirement.

-Third Generation (1894-1919)
The oldest son of the second Kosai. His real name was Shuzo, his art name were Kouai/Koyo. He succeeded the 3rd generation Kosai in 1913.

Fourth Generation (First Generation of Kosai Makuzu) (1897-1987)
The second son of the 3rd generation Kosai. His real name was Kingo, his art names are Kosai/Eiyo/Chihei (after retirement).
He learned pottery at Kyoto Shitei Denshujo and worked with his father after his graduation. He succeeded the 4th generation Kosai in 1913 and Rosanjin Kitaoji visited him to study pottery around 1915.
In 1929, he became a pupil of Souya Hisada, the 11th generation master of house of Usasenke and concentrated on creating tea utensils. He was given the name (or sign which he white on the box of his works) “Makuzuyaki” by Souya Hisada and maned himself as “Kosai Makuzu”.
He passed the name to his son-in-low, Mikishige and used the name “Chihei” after retirement.

Fifth Generation (Second Generation of Kosai Makuzu) (1922-)
Born in Tokyo. His real name was Mikishige, and art names are Kosai/Chihei (after retirement).
He got married to the daughter of the 4th generation Kosai and he succeeded the 5th generation Kosai Miyagawa and the 2nd generation of Kosai Makuzu in 1972.
The stamp of “Makuzu” to impress on the bottom of his works was given him from Sokuchusai Sousa, the 13th generation master of Omotesenke.
In 2002, he passed the name to his adopted son Kazuo and retired. After the death of Souya Hisada, the 11th generation master of house of Usasenke, he created tea utensils with help of the 12th generation master of Urasenke.

Sixth Generation (Third Generation of Kosai Makuzu)(1944-)
Born in Kyoto. He was adopted by the 5th generation Kosai. Real name was Kazuo, and his art name is Kosai.
After he graduated from sculpture department of Tokyo Zokei University he started pottery at kiln in Kyoto. He started to work at Makuzugama in 1976 as an assistant of the 5th generation Kosai and studied under his for 25 years.
He succeeded the 6th generation Kosai and the 3rd generation Kosai Makuzu in 2002, and the stamp of “Makuzu” was given by Myoho Takada, the monk of Daitokuji temple.
Today he mainly creates tea utensils with his son Shinichi with keeping traditional methods and techniques. He has held many personal exhibitions in various places in Japan.

[Ikkan HIKI]
One of the Senke Jissoku, “The Ten Craftsmen of the House of Sen”. Ikkanbari (lacquered papier-mache) craftsman in Kyoto.

-First Generation: Ikkan (1578-1657)
He was from China and visited to Japan around 1624-1644. Later he became naturalized as Japanese and settled in Kyoto having his first name as “Hiki” . His had several art names; Chosetsusai, Kongosanjin, Chouchousi and Hangoken.
He established “Illanbari (traditional handcraft made by putting Japanese paper on bamboo basket then paint it with persimmon tannin)” and Soutan Sen liked and used it.
In his later years, he was converted to Rinzai sect and studied under the monk of Daitokuji temple, Soui Seigan (the 170th master of Daitokuji temple).
Ahter him, each generation has been succeeded the name “Ikkan” and the technique and methods of Ikkanbari.

-Second Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1683)
His common name was Saiuemon. He was born and grown in Ohmi (present Shiga) still his achievement is not clear. He succeeded the name after he became a monk, and it became the custom of the succession.
He had a older sister named Yuki who got married to Kiemon Kishoda who was a Ikkanbari craftsman in Karasuma, Kyoto and he was called called Ikkan Kishi.

Third Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1715)
The son of the second generation Ikkan. He depended on his aunts Yuki with a letter from his grand father, the first generation Ikkan. He learned the technique of Ikkanbari and he retrieved it.

Fourth Generation: Ikkan(unknown-1733)
He became the craftsman for the Sen family and served Rokurokusai the 6th generation master of Sen family.

Fifth Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1741)
His common name was Saiuemon. Nyosinsai, the 7th generation master of Omotesenke liked him and he created a feather duster and a round shape flat floor cushion for “Meiki Chaki Zui”, the encyclopedia of tea utensils in late Edo period compiled by Naokata Kusama.

Sixth Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1746)
The son of the sixth generation Ikkan whose common name was Saiuemon. It is said that he died early at a young age.

Eighth Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1753)
The son of the 6th and the younger brother of the 7th Ikkan.
He succeeded the family business after his older brother’s early death, still he also passed away at a young age.

Ninth Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1788)
The son in-low of the 6th generation Ikkan. He moved head house to Demizu Aburakouji. He injured in the Great Fire of the Tenmei era and passed 4 month later.

Tenth Generation: Ikkan (unknown-1830)
The son of the 9th generation Ikkan. From the tenth generation, the name “Saiuemon” has been succeeded to later generations as a common name of Ikkan.

Eleventh Generation: Ikkan (1791-1872)
His childhood name was Yataro and Saijiro, and he sometimes called as Hanamaru Ikkan, Uri Ikkan and Yurin Ikkan. He is known as the great craftsman after the first Ikkan.
He created 200 square trays for the 200th anniversary of the first Ikkan’s death.

Twelfth Generation: Ikkan (1822-1897)
The sec on son of the 11th generation Ikkan whose childhood name was Saijiro.
He succeeded the 13th generation Ikkan because of his older brother’s early death.

Thirteenth Generation: Ikkan (1859-1913)
The son of the oldest son of the 11th generation Ikkan who died young. He succeeded family business after his uncle, the 12th generation Ikkan in 1895, although he passed away in 1913 without becoming a monk.
He had an art name as “Yusui” and good at making Haiku.

Fourteenth Generation: Ikkan (1894-1977)
The oldest son of the 13th generation Ikkan. His childhood name was Komataro.
Because he lost his 2 children in the War, he adopted the 15th generation Ikkan.

Fifteenth Generation: Ikkan (1926-1981)
He was adopted by the 14th generation Ikkan at the age of 35. He succeeded the 15th generation of Ikkan in 1977 and passed away 4years later at the age of 56 in 1981.

Sixteenth Generation: Ikkan (1963-)
　She is the present master of Ikkan Hiki who is the daughter of the 15th generation master. Her real name is Satomi.
She succeeded the 16th generation master in 1998.