History of SanSenKe

Three primary Sen family schools, Urasenke, Omotesenke, Mushanokouji, which have passed on Sen Rikyu's way of tea are called "SanSenKe". After Hideyoshi had ordered Rikyu to commit ritual suicide, Rikyu's son with his former wife, Douan, and a son, Koan, left Kyoto and escaped to the country side. Later, with Toshiie Maeda's help, Koan was returned to Kyoto. He received the inheritance of his father from Hideyoshi, and moved back to the house of Sen. Meanwhile, Douan also came back to Kyoto, and inherited the house in Sakai where Rikyu was born. After the death of Hidoyoshi, Ieyasu became the most powerful man in Japan. Koan served Ieyasu, and received the land as a reward. Soon Koan stopped served Ieyasu, and moved to Saihou temple to live in seclusion. His sun, Soutan inherited Sen family and built his tea house Fushinan. As he retired, Soutan gave this Fushinan to his son Sousa, then built a new tea house Konnichian. Later, Sousa inherited Konnichian, Koan built Yuin and lived in retirement. Soushitsu never served anybody, but his three children served Tokugawa, Kaga, Maeda. Matsudaira, the most powerful families at the time, as Chatou. One of Soushitsu's son, Ichiousoushu built Kankyuan after his retirement, and three Sen family schools were formally established. Sansen family Omotesenke (Fushinan) 1.Sen Rikyu 2.Soujyun Shouan 3.Soutan Genpaku 4.Sousa Koushin(Hougensai) 5.Souza Ryoukyu(Zuiryusai) 6.Souza Gensou (Kakukakusai) 7.Souza Tennen (Jyoshinsai) 8.Souza Kenou (Sottakusai) 9.Souza Kousyuku (Ryouryousai) 10.Souza Shouou (Gyukousai) 11.Souza Zuiou (Rokurokusai) 12.Souza Keiou (Seisai) 13.Souza Mugen (Sokucyuusai) 14.Souza Jimyousai Mushanokoujisenke(Kyukanan) 1.Sen Rikyu 2. Soujyun Shouan 3.Soutan Genpaku 4.Soushitsu Sensou (Rougetsuan) 5.Soushitsu Jyousou (Fukyusai) 6.Souan Taisou (Rokkansai) 7.Soukan Chikusou (Saisaisai) 8.Soushitsu Ittou (Yugensai) 9.Genshitsu Sekiou (Fukensai) 10.Soushitsu Hakuou (Nintokusai) 11.Soushitsu Seicyu (Gengensai) 12.Genshitsu Jikisou (Yumyousai) 13.Soushitsu Techu (Ennousai) 14.Soushitsu Kensou (Tantansai) 15.Soushitsu Gensyu (Houunsai) Mushanokoujisenke(Kyukanan) 1.Sen Rikyu 2. SoujRyun Shouan 3.Soutan Genpaku 4. Soushu Ichiou(Jikyusai) 5. Soushu Bunshuku (Kyoyuusai) 6.Soushu Shinpaku (Seiseisai) 7.Soushu Kensou (Jikisai) 8.Sousyu Kyuou (Isetsusai) 9.Soushu Jinou (Koukousai) 10.Soushu Zendou(Ishinsai) 11.Soushu Issou (Isshisai) 12.Soushu Choushou(Yukousai) 13.Sousyu Tokuou(Yurinsai)

(Hayao Ono)