Sensō Sōshitsu facts for kids

Sensō Sōshitsu (仙叟 宗室, 1622–1697), also known as Sen Sōshitsu IV (四代目千宗室), was a very important Japanese tea master. He was the fourth head of the Urasenke family. This family is one of the main schools that teach the Japanese tea ceremony.

Sensō Sōshitsu was the first person in his family to use the name "Sōshitsu." This name then became the special title for all future heads of the Urasenke family. He is counted as the fourth "Sōshitsu" because his family's tea tradition began with his great-grandfather, Sen no Rikyū.

The Life of Sensō Sōshitsu

Sensō Sōshitsu was the youngest son of Sen no Sōtan. He was also the great-grandson of the famous tea master, Sen no Rikyū.

Before he became a tea master, Sensō Sōshitsu studied to be a doctor. He learned from a doctor in Kyoto named Noma Gentaku. But Noma Gentaku passed away, so Sensō Sōshitsu returned home.

He then decided to focus on the chadō tradition. This tradition was started by his great-grandfather, Sen no Rikyū. His father worked hard and used his connections to help Sensō Sōshitsu.

Sensō Sōshitsu got a job as a special official for tea matters. He worked for the leader of the rich Kaga domain. This was a powerful area in Japan.

First, he served Lord Maeda Toshitsune. After Toshitsune died, he served Lord Maeda Tsunatoshi. Lord Tsunatoshi loved art and helped Sensō Sōshitsu. He gave him a comfortable home in the city of Kanazawa.

Sensō Sōshitsu spent much of his life in Kanazawa. His first son, Fukyūsai Jōsō, was born there. This son later became the fifth head of the Urasenke family.

Sensō Sōshitsu retired from his job when he was 66 years old. He moved back to Kyoto. However, he still visited Kanazawa sometimes. He passed away in Kanazawa on January 23, 1697, when he was 75 years old.

Sensō Sōshitsu's Contributions

Sensō Sōshitsu is remembered for helping to create new types of pottery. He took a potter named Chōzaemon to Kanazawa. Chōzaemon worked at the Raku ware family's workshop in Kyoto.

Sensō Sōshitsu helped Chōzaemon set up a new pottery workshop in Kanazawa. This workshop was in a part of town called Ōhi. This was the start of Ōhi ware pottery, which is a type of Raku ware.

Sensō Sōshitsu also helped a kettle maker named Miyazaki Kanchi. He helped Kanchi start his own metal workshop, called the Kanchi foundry, in Kanazawa.

Because of these actions, Sensō Sōshitsu made big contributions to the art of chanoyu. Chanoyu is another name for the Japanese tea ceremony. He also greatly helped the culture of Kanazawa.