During the sixteenth century Japan's prosperity was at an all time high, a
result of spectacular foreign trade. It made both seamen and traders
wealthy and, in turn, elevated the local merchants, particularly in Sakai,
to positions of both great wealth and great power, with influence in
politics and custom of the day.
As in most cultures that achieve a high measure of wealth, the Japanese
suddenly found themselves with the luxury of time to devote to art, music,
and other cultural experiences. Among these experiences was the beginning of
the tea ceremony, Sado or Chado.
Perhaps no single person was as instrumental in elevating the tea ceremony
to an art form than Sen-no-Rikyu (1522-1591). One ceremony, a simple almost
austere ceremony called wabi cha is still practiced today, usually in small
rooms, just a few meters in size. It is kept simple and plain, with nothing
to distract from the dedication to tea, a quality the Japanese of this era
considered a "luxury" as a balance to the gold and silk richness of their
homes.
Perhaps no more striking example of this sense of the "luxury of austerity"
is the story of Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi's visit to the teahouse of Rikyu.
Hideyoshi was astonished at the glorious color and sheer magnificence of the
field of purple morning glories nearby. He remarked upon them, and brashly
asked if Rikyu would provide a tea ceremony for him. Considering his
importance and position, Rikyu could hardly refuse, and the two set a time
for tea the next day.
The shogun arrived at exactly the appointed time and was aghast to find the
field of glories completely razed. Shaken, he continued up the quiet stone
walkway to Rikyu's tea room, poured water over his hands from the
beautifully made ladle and bucket, and, bending his body downwards, entered
through the lower portion of the two part doorway.
When he was inside the small, intimate tea room, warmed from the steam
hissing from the kettle over the brazier, he saw Rikyu kneeling in front of
the brazier, an exquisite tray on the mat to his side, holding his finest
tea utensils and a small caddy of precious tea.
Looking at the alcove, the shogun immediately understood why the field had
been razed. There, in a serenely plain vase was a single, perfect purple
morning glory, the like of which the shogun had never seen.
If you make tea for an unexpected guest, your heart should be simple and
everything restrained. Sen-no-Rikyu (1522-1591).
