[Musyakouji Senke]
Musyanokouji Senke is one of the three houses (families) descended from Sen no Rikyu, the Japanese Tea master who perfected the Way of Tea in the 16th century. The title of the house were passed down to the second-generation master, Sen Shoan and the third, Sen Sotan. After Sen Sotan, the family was devided into three branches, and the originator of Mushakouji Senke was Ichiousoushu, the second son of Sen Soutan, who was also known as Kankyuan.
The family line “Soushu” has been succeeded.
Fourth Generation: Ichiou Soushu (1605-1675)
The second son of Sen Soutan, the third generation master. Kichimonjiya Yosouemon who was Nushi (lacquer painter) adopted him and he named himself as Jinuemon. After he conceded his son-in-low Nakamura Soutetsu the family business of Kichimonjiya, he returned to the Senke family.
He served to the Takamatsu-Matsudaira family as Sadou ( person who teaches noble people the Japanese tea ceremony). In 1667, he retired Sadou and built the Kankyuan (the tea house) in Musyakoujiogawa, Kyoto. It was the beginning of the Mushakouji Senke.
He died in 1675 at the age of 83
Fifth Generation: Kyoyusai Bunshoku (1658-1708)
The son of the fourth generation master Soushu. He was named Jinshiro, then later he changed his name as Soushu.
He servesd the Takamatsu-Matsudaira family after his father. He had a great eye for object of antique.
Sixth Generation: Seiseisai Shinpaku (1693-1745)
His childhood name was Jyujirou, who was the son of the fifth.
He was a great artist of calligraphy and pottery. Especially he had a great skill of pottery and he
made the copy of Kimamori Chawan (one of Rikyu Nana-shu "Seven kinds of tea bowls of Rikyu's choice” made by Raku Chojirou) which was handed down at the Musyakouji Senke family.
He died in 1745 at the of 53.
Seventh Generation: Jikisai Kensou (1725-1782)
He was the adopted children of the sixth generation master, whose childhood name was Hisanojou.
Natorigawa-Kougou and Genjigawa-Kougou (incence container) were his favorite tea utensils. Although Kankyuan was burned in a fire in 1772, he rebuild it 2 years later for 100 anniversary of the fourth generation master Ichiou’s death. At the same time, two new tea rooms; Ippouan and Koudouan (which had a space of 15 tatami) were built in the grounds.
He is said to be the founder of the renaissance of the Mushakouji Senke. He died in 1782 at the age of 58.
Eighth Generation: Ittousai Kyuou (1763-1838)
He was the son of Kawagoe Hyougono Kami, and he was adopted by the sixth generation master Jikisai at the age of 20.
He was a great craftsman and created new styles of shelfs such as Eboshidana, Tsubotsubodana and Jizaidana.
Died in 1838 at the age of 76.
Ninth Generation: Koukousai Ninou (1795-1835)
He was the third son of Fukensai who was the ninth generation master of Ura Senke. He was named Soujyu and Genshitu, later changed his name as Koukousai after he became Ittousai’s son-in-low.
He created lots of Chasaku (tea spoon) and Chawan (tea bowl) by himself.
Tenth Generation: Ishinsai Zendou (1830-1891)
He was the younger brother of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the ninth generation master Koukousai at the age of 6 and he named himself Zendo, to be an heir.
Unfortunately he lost his sight at the age of 8, the widow of Koukousai, the ninth generation master
carried out their business with help of Kidu Sousen who was their disciple, then letter the adopted children from Omote Senke succeeded Musyakouji Senke.
After he handed over his position, he named himself as Souan. He died in 1891 at the age of 62.
-Eleventh Generation: Issisai Issou (1848-1898)
He was the second son of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the tenth generation master Ishinsai and he succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu.
He built the Sodou (the tea room where ancestors are worshipped) that has been remained until today.
Because he was good at handwriting, he wrote Ichigyoumono ( Japanese hanging scroll for tea room) at the age around 7.
He died in 1898 at the age of 51.
Twelfth Generation: Yukousai Chousou (1889-1953)
The second son of Hisada Souetsu who is the third son of the tenth generation master of Omote Senke, Kyukousai. He was adopted by the eleventh generation master, Issisai, and succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu. After death of Issisai, Hirose Rokou and Kidu Sousen carried out Musyakouji Senke until Yukousai became the age 20.
After graduation from Division of History, Tokyo Imperial University (Current the University of Tokyo), he criticized the Japanese Tea Ceremony logically for the first time in history, and it provided a breath of fresh air to the culture of Japanese Tea Ceremony.
In 1926, he reconstructed Kankyuan, then Koudouan in 1940 for the 350th anniversary of Sen no Rokyu’s death.
He left many books. Died in 1953 at the age of 65.
Thirteenth Generation: Urinsai Tokuou (1912-1999)
He was born in Kobe, and became son-in-low of the twelfth generation master Yukousai. He succeeded the name of Souya, and later Soushu.
He graduated from Division of History, Kyoto Imperial University (Current the University of Kyoto). He got married to Sumiko who was the daughter of Yukousai in 1941, then he succeeded as the thirteenth generation master in 1953.
He established both the Sen Sadou Bunka-Gakuin, the first school of Japanese Tea Ceremony in 1964 and Foundation of Kankyuan.
After he turned over his title, he named himself Souan. Died in 1999 at the age of 86.
Fourteenth Generation: Futetsusai Soushu (1945- )
The oldest son of the thirteenth generation master, he was named Houichi later Souya. After graduation from Keio University, he has given lectures and tea ceremonies in many countries to expand the culture of Japanese Tea Ceremony.
He succeeded the title of the fourteenth generation master in 1989.