Sen no Sōtan facts for kids

Sen no Sōtan (千宗旦) (1578–1658), also known as Genpaku Sōtan, was a very important person in the history of the Japanese tea ceremony. He was the grandson of the famous Sen no Rikyū, who created many of the traditions of the tea ceremony. Sōtan made sure his grandfather's special way of tea was passed down through his family in Japan. He is seen as the third leader of the Sen family's tea tradition in Kyoto.

Sen Sōtan's Life

Family and Early Life

Sen no Sōtan was the son of Sen Shōan and Okame, who was Rikyū's daughter. He is counted as the third generation in the Sen family. This family later split into three main branches, known as the san-Senke (three Sen families). Sōtan helped make the tea ceremony popular across Japan.

When Sōtan was about ten years old, his grandfather Rikyū wanted him to live at Daitoku-ji temple. He stayed at a smaller temple called Sangen'in. There, he was looked after by a priest named Shunoku Sōen.

After Rikyū passed away, the Sen family faced tough times. Sōtan's father had to find safety with a powerful lord, a daimyō, named Gamō Ujisato in a faraway place called Aizu Wakamatsu. But Sōtan was safe at Daitoku-ji temple during this time.

Later, his father was allowed to return to Kyoto and bring the Sen family back together. Sōtan then left the temple and returned to his family. Soon after, his father let Sōtan take over as the head of the family and moved out.

Establishing the Three Tea Schools

Sōtan had four sons. He had two sons with his first wife, and after she passed away, two more sons with his second wife.

His second son, Ichiō Sōshu, was adopted into a family of lacquer artists when he was young. However, Sōshu later decided to follow the tea traditions of his great-grandfather, Rikyū. He built a tea house on Mushakōji street to focus on tea. He gave up the lacquer business to Nakamura Sōtetsu. This is how the Nakamura Sōtetsu line of lacquer artists began, who made many lacquer items for the Sen families. It also marked the start of the Mushakōjisenke (Mushakōji Sen house/family) line of the Sen family.

Sōtan chose his third son, Kōshin Sōsa, to be the main heir to the Sen house. This house eventually became known as the Omotesenke (front Sen house/family). Sōtan then set up his own retirement home on land next to it.

Sōtan's fourth and youngest son, Sensō Sōshitsu, was adopted into a doctor's family. But after a few years, the doctor passed away, and Sōshitsu returned to live with Sōtan. Eventually, he became the heir to Sōtan's retirement home. This family became known as the Urasenke (rear Sen house/family).

Sōtan also had a special tea house built on the north side of the Sen family home. He named it Konnichi-an, which means "Hut of This Day."

Sōtan's Close Followers

Among Sōtan's many followers in the world of chanoyu (the tea ceremony), four were especially close to him. They are often called Sōtan's "Four Heavenly Kings" (四天王, Shitennō). These important followers were:

• Fujimura Yōken (1613–1699)
• Sugiki Fusai (1628–1706)
• Yamada Sōhen (1627–1708)
• Kusumi Soan (1636–1728)

Sometimes, instead of Kusumi Soan, the fourth person is listed as either Miyake Bōyō (1580–1649) or Matsuo Sōji (1579–1658).