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Iemoto System

In old time in Japan, all the classical performance were inherited by legitimate families. They were invited to perform at the imperial court for the special occasion. Their living were supported by old Japanese government system. However, the system had changed, and when these families lost their support, many of them tried to make their living by teaching their way of art to others. Iemoto is a head of a school of traditional art, and Iemoto system is the system licensing the teaching of a traditional Japanese art. Iemoto system contributed for keeping many of the Japanese traditional arts alive throughout radical changes in Japanese history. After the master of tea, Rikyu's death, the concept and the style of Chanoyu was inherited by Oribe Huruta and Ensyu Kobori. Chanoyu became popular among the Daimyo(feudal military lords) and Samurai. Also the descendants of Rikyu established three Sen schools- Omotesenke of sensyusa, Urasenke of senshushitsu, Mushanokoji of sensyushu, and they were accepted broadly among the people in the cities. Once tea ceremony started its way for people's enjoyment and commonly performed, Iemoto established precise level of license. Disciples get each level license step by step, and then finally receive a teaching certificate authorized by Iemoto. It is usually a long way to reach, and that is why many people in Japan keep practicing tea ceremony for years and years. This strict system centered of Iemoto keep the traditional art in high level, and it is the concept of Iemoto system.

(Nobuyoshi Mochizuki)