Venerable Tea Master Sen Genshitsu of Japan Passes Away at 102
Obituary: Sen Genshitsu, Grand Master of Japanese Tea Ceremony, Passes Away at 102
Sen Genshitsu, the 15th-generation Grand Master of the Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony, passed away on Thursday at the age of 102[1]. Born in 1923 in the city of Kyoto, Sen dedicated his life to promoting and modernizing the traditional tea ceremony, taking it to universities across the world and using it as a vehicle to spread peace, cultural understanding, and reconciliation[2].
Throughout his career, Sen performed the tea ceremony over 300 times in 70 countries, championing the philosophy of "peacefulness through a bowl of tea"[1]. He was a former Kamikaze pilot trainee during World War II, and his experience led him to become a staunch anti-war advocate.
After retiring as grand master in 2002, Sen dedicated himself to spreading Japanese culture worldwide by holding tea ceremony lessons at universities globally, including the University of Hawaii where he donated an authentic tea house and sponsored student scholarships to study tea culture in Kyoto[3].
Sen's overseas tea ceremonies were not limited to a specific region or country. He travelled to various parts of the world, including the USS Arizona memorial in Hawaii, where he performed a tea service to honor those lost in Pearl Harbor[2]. He also maintained close ties with international leaders, such as the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Myanmar's democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and Britain's Prince William[1].
In recognition of his efforts, Sen received prestigious awards including Japan’s Order of Culture in 1997 and France’s Officier de la Légion d'Honneur. He also served as a friendship ambassador for the United Nations and UNESCO, reflecting his role as a global leader in cultural exchange and peace advocacy[2].
Sen became grand master of Urasenke in 1964 and continued to uphold the philosophy of "peacefulness through a bowl of tea" during his overseas tea ceremonies, which were intended to pray for peace[4]. His tea ceremonies were a significant part of his activities after 2002, when he dedicated himself to promoting Japanese culture overseas[4].
Sen will be remembered as a key figure in modernizing and internationally promoting the Japanese tea ceremony, using it as a vehicle to spread peace, cultural understanding, and reconciliation worldwide[2].
References:
- The New York Times
- BBC News
- The Japan Times
- The Guardian
In honor of Sen Genshitsu's dedication to promoting Japanese culture, he held tea ceremony lessons at universities globally, including the University of Hawaii, where he donated an authentic tea house and sponsored scholarships for students to study tea culture in Kyoto. photo: A photograph captures Sen Genshitsu teaching celebrities and scholars about the traditional tea ceremony, furthering his global impact on entertainment and cultural exchange.
