Iemoto facts for kids
The word Iemoto (pronounced "ee-eh-moh-toh") is a Japanese term. It means the founder or current Grand Master of a traditional Japanese art school. Think of it like the head of a special family that teaches an art. It's also used for the family or house that the Iemoto leads.
The word Iemoto also describes a system used in many traditional Japanese arts. These include the Japanese tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arranging), Noh theater, calligraphy, and Japanese martial arts. Even games like Shogi (Japanese chess) and Go once used this system. The Iemoto system is like a ladder, with the Iemoto at the very top. They pass down secret traditions from one generation to the next.
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What is an Iemoto?
An Iemoto can be called "Iemoto" or "O-Iemoto." Sometimes they are called "Sōshō" or "Ō-sensei." In English, "Grand Master" is a common translation. The Iemoto's main jobs are to lead their school and protect its traditions. They are the final decision-maker for everything about the school. They also give out special licenses and certificates. In some cases, they teach the most advanced students themselves.
The title of Iemoto is usually passed down through the family. It often goes from parent to child, or sometimes through adoption. Once a successor is chosen, they might be called "Wakasōshō," meaning "Young Master." The Iemoto title also comes with a special family name. For example, in the Urasenke tea ceremony, the Iemoto always has the name "Sōshitsu." Only one Iemoto can lead a school at a time. This sometimes leads to new "houses" or "lines" being created by others who want to be an Iemoto.
How the Iemoto System Works
Teachers who are officially recognized get a special license from the Iemoto. This license shows that the Iemoto trusts them to teach the school's lessons correctly. Students also need to get licenses or certificates as they learn more. These certificates might give a student permission to study at a certain level. Or they might confirm that a student has reached a certain skill level.
Students usually pay for these certificates. The highest-level certificates can cost a lot of money, sometimes millions of yen. The Iemoto is also the one who chooses and gives special ceremonial names to advanced students.
History of the Iemoto System
Even as far back as the Heian period (794–1185), there were families like the Iemoto. They were in charge of passing down secret traditions in their art. The word "Iemoto" itself first appeared in records around the late 1600s. Back then, it was used for families whose sons could become priests in big temples. Its use for traditional Japanese arts, as we know it today, started in the mid-1700s.
The Iemoto system shows how Japanese society was organized around "ie" (family or household) and "dōzoku" (extended family). A historian named Matsunosuke Nishiyama helped explain the "Iemoto system" after World War II. He used it to describe how certain families controlled arts and their networks of teachers. This system came from Japan's feudal past, and its influence is still strong in traditional arts today.
Famous Iemoto Schools and Arts
Many traditional Japanese arts have Iemoto systems. Here are some famous examples:
Go Board Game Schools
There were four main schools for Go players in the past. These were Hon'inbō, Hayashi, Inoue, and Yasui. There were also three smaller schools: Sakaguchi, Hattori, and Mizutani.
In the early 1600s, the best Go player in Japan, Hon'inbō Sansa, became the head of a new Go academy. This was the Hon'inbō school. It greatly improved Go playing and started a ranking system similar to martial arts. However, the government stopped supporting these Go academies in 1868. This happened after the Tokugawa shogunate fell.
The Hon'inbō school's players were often the best. Because of this, one of Japan's most important Go championships is still called the "Honinbo" tournament.
Ikebana Flower Arranging Schools
The three main schools for ikebana, or Japanese flower arrangement, are Ikenobō, Ohara, and Sōgetsu.
As of August 2008, there were 138 registered Ikebana schools. These included both small and large ones.
Traditional Japanese Dance Schools
There are about 200 schools for traditional Japanese dance. The five most famous ones are Hanayagi-ryū, Fujima-ryū, Wakayagi-ryū, Nishikawa-ryū, and Bandō-ryū.
Incense Appreciation Schools
The two main schools for kōdō, or incense appreciation, are Shino-ryū and Nijō-ryū.
Tea Ceremony Schools
Challenges to the Iemoto System
Some people have criticized the Iemoto system. They say it can be too strict, expensive, and unfair. They also say it can be too bossy and not democratic enough. Because of these reasons, some groups have decided to create their own systems.
For example, in the Japanese tea ceremony, Sensho Tanaka started the Dai Nihon Chadō Gakkai in 1898. He wanted to teach tea ceremony in a more open and democratic way. This was outside the strict Iemoto system. Hiroaki Kikuoka, a shamisen player, created a "presidential system" for his group. Koto player Michiyo Yagi has also rejected the Iemoto system. She also changed the traditional style of playing her instrument.
