Sen no Rikyū
The Man Who Changed the Way Japan Drinks Tea
What can a simple bowl of tea teach us about beauty, power, simplicity—and life itself?
More than four centuries ago, amid the wars of 16th-century Japan, a merchant’s son from Sakai rose to become tea master to some of the most powerful men in the country.
His name was Sen no Rikyū.
While rulers built magnificent castles and surrounded themselves with treasures, Rikyū found beauty somewhere else:
A tiny room. A simple bowl. A single flower.
His ideas would transform Japanese tea, ceramics, aesthetics and hospitality—and his extraordinary relationship with Toyotomi Hideyoshi would ultimately end in tragedy.
Join us over the next four weeks for an illustrated journey through tea, beauty, power and the remarkable life of Sen no Rikyū.
Episode 1 coming soon.