We would like to share the ‘Principles of Training’ in the Miyanagi School, which forms
the foundation of our dance studio. At the time of the founding, the first Iemoto
(Grand Master) of the Miyanagi School selected 6 excerpts from the ‘Rikyu’s Hundred
Verses’ (‘Rikyu Douka’ or ‘Rikyu Hyaku shu’ in Japanese) as the ‘Principles of Training’,
which been cherished ever since.
Rikyu’s Hundred Verses
The ‘Rikyu’s Hundred Verses’ is said to be a collection of 100 poems written in the form
of Waka poetry style (5-7-5-7-7 poetry style) by SEN Rikyu, a tea master active from
the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period, that clearly express the spirit of
the Tea Ceremony, the knowledge of how to prepare the tea, and the specific use of tea
utensils.
Actually, Rikyu did not compose all 100 poems; they were compiled by later generations.
In the late Edo period, when the 11th head of the Urasenke School of Tea, Gengensai
Seichu Soshitsu, built the ‘Totsutsusai’ tea ceremony facility, he wrote a series of poems
about Tea Ceremony and utensils under the title ‘Hogobusuma’, and at the end compiled
100 poems titled ‘Rikyu Kyouyu Ei Hyakushu’. Today, 102 poems, consisting of those 100
and 2 more that are thought to have been composed by Rikyu, are widely known.
SEN Rikyu
SEN Rikyu emphasized the exchange of hearts and hospitality, perfecting the Tea Ceremony
known as ‘Wabi Cha’, which seeks the beauty of imperfection.
He was born into a merchant family dealing in salted fish or a warehouse owner. He began
studying Tea Ceremony at age 17 as part of a merchant’s education. He married in his 20’ｓ
and devoted himself to the family business until his late 40’s, amassing wealth.
After Oda Nobunaga became the ruler of Japan and placed Sakai (in Osaka) under his direct
control, Rikyu was employed as one of his Tea Masters. Nobunaga used the Tea Ceremony
as a Samurai Ritual for political negotiations and displays of power, so Rikyu rose in status
and was highly respected by Nobunaga.
After the Honnoji Incident, Rikyu became involved in the political affairs of Toyotomi Hideyoshi,
who had become the ruler of Japan. He had a residence within the Jurakudai palace complex
built by Hideyoshi and was granted a large stipend, making him a highly renowned and
prestigious Tea Master.
However, after angering Hideyoshi, he was ordered to commit Seppuku and ended his life
at the age of 70. Yet, various theories exist as to why Hideyoshi ordered his Seppuku, and
the truth remains unknown.
In the End
How did you like the story about Rikyu?
At the end of ‘Hogobusuma’, Gengensai appended his own verse:
‘The teaching is not conveyed through words or writing, but through the heart. This body is
like a bell—strike it and it rings, tap it and it resonates’.
Starting next time, we would like to introduce six verses excerpted by the first headmaster
of the Miyanagi School as ‘Principles of Training’.
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