Urasenke

Urasenke is one of the main schools of the Japanese tea ceremony (chado) and a key part of the Sen family tradition. Along with Omotesenke and Mushakōji Senke, it constitutes one of the three principal lineages descended from Sen no Sotan. The name denotes the “ura” (rear) line, distinguished from the “omote” (front) line in the family lineage.

Historically, Urasenke developed as a formalized branch of tea culture in the early modern period. It established a structured practice for ceremony, utensils, and teaching, and is led by a hereditary head known as the soke, in the Soshitsu lineage. The organization maintains a network of training houses and tea rooms in Japan and abroad, preserving and transmitting the school’s rituals and aesthetics.

Philosophy and practice center on the four guiding principles of chanoyu: wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility). Practitioners are trained in the preparation and serving of both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea), as well as kaiseki cuisine, and the etiquette and seasonal design elements that frame each gathering. Utensil selection, room arrangement, and seasonal motifs are integrated into the ceremonial experience.

Global presence and activities: Urasenke operates chapters and tea houses overseas, offering instruction, demonstrations, and cultural exchange. Through the Urasenke Foundation and related institutions, the school supports education and cultural programs that promote traditional Japanese tea culture and its pedagogical transmission beyond Japan.