A somei is a name of the form "So-" or "So- -sai" granted by a school's head at the senior levels of the certificate system, serving as evidence of formal discipleship within the school.
Origins
Taking the character so follows the tradition of the Sen houses since Sen Soeki — Rikyu. As a student advances through the certificates, a tea name, a somei, and a studio name are granted in stages.
In practice
The somei is recorded in a study group's roll and in gathering records, indicating a practitioner's position within their school. Encountering someone whose name begins with So- at a gathering is a signal about how far their study has gone.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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