Approximately 250 Items on Display, Including Tea Utensils Possessed by Sen no Rikyu

The Sen family's tea ceremony has continued for over 400 years since Sen no Rikyu, the master of Chanoyu. The "Ten Masters of the Sen Family" refers to the ten artisan families who create tea utensils favored by the Sen family. Their history began in May 1923, when Mitsukoshi's Osaka store held the "Exhibition of Tea Bowls by the Ten Masters of the Sen Family," where the term "Ten Masters of the Sen Family" was coined.


The "Legacy of Chanoyu: Exhibition of the Ten Masters of the Sen Family" will showcase approximately 250 tea utensils, including "masterpieces" and "representative works" passed down through the generations of the three Sen families, as well as items from the collections of the artisan families and museums. It is an exhibition where one can appreciate the understated yet profound Japanese aesthetic.

Eiraku Family (Furo & Pottery Master)
The Eiraku family has primarily produced earthenware braziers (furo) for generations. In 1827, the 11th generation Hozan was granted the gold seal "Kawashibushiryū" and the silver seal "Eiraku" by the lord of Kishu. Since then, they have used the surname "Eiraku" and also began producing a wide range of tea ceramics. The current head of the family is the 17th generation.

Raku Family (Raku Ware & Tea Bowl Master)
The founder, Chōjirō, embraced the spirit of Sen no Rikyu's wabi-cha and fired Raku tea bowls, shaping them solely with his hands and a spatula. Successive generations have expressed their unique styles, primarily producing tea bowls, but also mizusashi (fresh water containers) and hanaire (flower vases). The current head is the 15th generation.

Ōnishi Family (Kama Master)
Since the early Edo period, the family has produced wares at Sanjo Kama-za, from the first generation Jōrin to the current 16th generation Seiemon. The second generation Jōsei also cast temple bells to enshrine the three Tokugawa shoguns and crafted kama for the Sen family during the time of Sōtan. They continue to produce kama suitable for the tea ceremonies of feudal lords and for wabi-cha.

Hiraike Family (Ikkanbari Lacquerware Master)
Following the Raku family, they began to serve the Sen family. The beginning dates back to when the first generation Ikkan was commissioned by the third Sen family head, Sōtan, to create many preferred items that suited his wabi-cha style. As Ikkanbari lacquerware masters specializing in natsume (tea caddies) and kōgō (incense containers), the current head is the 16th generation.

Tsuchida Family (Fukuro Master)
The Tsuchida family has traditionally specialized in the preparation of tea ceremony items related to fabrics and threads, such as shifuku (tea caddy pouches) and fukusa (silk cloths). The first generation Hanpei Tsuchida received the name "Yuko" from the seventh head of the Omotesenke school. The current head is the 13th generation.


Nakamura Family (Urushi Master)
The Nakamura family produces tea caddies and other tea utensils, as well as lacquerware bowls used in tea ceremonies. They faithfully recreate the shapes and dimensions favored by Sen no Rikyu as enduring models, and also produce new works based on the innovative designs of successive tea masters. The current head is the 13th generation.

Kuroda Family (Bamboo Craftsman & Hishaku Master)
The Kuroda family crafts bamboo tea utensils, including hishaku (ladles). They served as hishaku masters for prominent figures like Kobori Enshu and the Tokugawa shogunate. Starting with the third generation Shōgen, they began serving the Sen family, and also handle hanaire and kōgō. The current head is the 14th generation.

Okumura Family (Hyogu Master)
Since the time of Sen no Rikyu, hanging scrolls for the tokonoma alcove have been considered the most important among tea utensils. This family is responsible for mounting scrolls of calligraphy by the heads of the Sen families, as well as producing furo-saki byobu (folding screens) and kami-koshiki (paper mats for kama). The current head is the 13th generation.

Komaizawa Family (Sashimono Master)
The Komaizawa family creates beautiful wooden utensils such as tana (shelving units) and mizusashi. They were granted the name "Risai" by the sixth head of the Omotesenke school, Kakkakusai, and have continued to produce many favored items. The 14th generation's grandnephew is currently training to succeed him.

Nakagawa Family (Kanamono Master)
The first generation Jōeki was the creator of the "Rikyu Yakkan" (kettle) commissioned by Sen no Rikyu for the Great Tea Gathering at Kitano. From the second generation, under the name Jōeki, they have produced favored items for the Sen family heads, such as hanaire and kensui (waste water bowls). The 11th generation passed away in 2008, and the position is currently vacant.

The tea utensils from these ten families will be exhibited.

Additionally, "New Works by the Ten Masters of the Sen Family - The World of Transmitted Aesthetics -" will be held concurrently in the Art Selection Gallery on the 6th floor of the Main Building, allowing visitors to appreciate the transmitted beauty, carefully preserved by each family, through new works created by the contemporary masters.

Why not witness firsthand the DNA of Japanese aesthetics, passed down continuously to the present day?

The Legacy of Chanoyu: Exhibition of the Ten Masters of the Sen Family
Period: August 31, 2016 (Wed) - September 12, 2016 (Mon)
Hours: 10:30 - 19:00 (Last entry 19:30) *Until 16:00 on the final day (Last entry 16:30)
Admission: (General/University Students) ¥800, (High School/Junior High School Students) ¥600 *Free for elementary school students and younger
Venue: Gallery, 7th Floor, New Building, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1-4-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

New Works by the Ten Masters of the Sen Family - The World of Transmitted Aesthetics -
Period: August 31, 2016 (Wed) - September 6, 2016 (Tue) *Closes at 17:00 on the final day
Location: Art Selection Gallery, 6th Floor, Main Building, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store