Urasenke is the most widely practised of the three schools descended from Sen no Rikyu, with the largest membership in Japan and an extensive presence abroad. Its headquarters, Konnichian, stands on Ogawa Street in Kyoto, on the land behind (*ura*) the Fushin'an compound — the source of the name.
Lineage
The school descends from Senso Soshitsu, fourth son of Rikyu's grandson Sen Sotan. Senso served the Maeda lords of Kaga as tea master, a connection that shaped later ties between Urasenke and the Kanazawa region. Successive heads from the nineteenth century onward — Gengensai, Ennosai, Tantansai, and Hounsai — adapted both the forms of practice and the means of teaching to their times.
Character of its practice
Urasenke prepares thin tea with a fine, well-raised foam, a point of contrast with Omotesenke that practitioners cite often. Movements favour a soft, continuous quality. Utensil combinations avoid ostentation, while the school has been notably willing to adopt formats that make practice sustainable in modern life.
Ryurei and modern reach
Gengensai devised ryurei, practice conducted at a table with stools, which removed the requirement to sit in the formal kneeling posture and made tea accessible to people who cannot. Urasenke also moved early into school and university tea clubs, women's education, and overseas teaching, and now maintains branches worldwide.
Studying with Urasenke
Progress is marked by graded certificates (*kyojo*) issued through the head family. The school publishes the monthly journal *Tanko* and operates a research museum in Kyoto. Beginners' classes are widespread in Japan, and many accept students with no prior experience and no utensils of their own.
Sources
- 千家と官休庵の歴史、三千家系譜、歴代家元 / 武者小路千家 官休庵（公式サイト）
Supports: 元伯宗旦の四男・仙叟宗室が今日庵を継ぎ、今日庵が裏千家と通称されること
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.
Term info
- Category
- School
- School
- Urasenke
Related terms
- OmotesenkeOmotesenke
One of the three Sen family schools, holding Rikyu's original Fushin'an site and known for a restrained, unhurried style.
- MushakojisenkeMushakojisenke
The smallest of the three Sen family schools, centred on Kankyuan in Kyoto and known for economical, unadorned movement.
- Sen no RikyuSen no Rikyu
The tea master (1522–1591) who brought wabicha to its definitive form and from whom the three Sen schools descend.
- Sen SotanSen Sotan
Rikyu's grandson, the third head of the Sen house, whose four sons became the source of the three schools.