Tea and Counsel. The Political Role of Sen Rikyu

Abstract

SEN RIKYTJ,' achieved lasting fame as tea master to Oda Nobunaga and particularly Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Throughout the centuries much has been written about his great artistic talent and aesthetic achievements; what is less known is his important role as political negotiator. His connection with other tea masters, for the most part influential merchants, and in particular his masterpupil relationship with daimyo and warriors, were used to further the political ends of the two rulers. Information about Rikyui's political activities has only come to light in comparatively recent times as a result of the extensive research carried out by Kuwata Tadachika. During the past forty years Kuwata has assembled and established the authenticity of over two hundred and sixty letters written by Sen Rikyui and has tried to place them in the framework of history by reference to other historical sources.2 Owing to the personal and often secret nature of this correspondence, resulting in the frequent employment of abbreviations, circumlocutions and insinuations, the interpretation of the letters is difficult and at times cannot be determined with certainty. There is, however, enough material to document that Rikyui played an important role in government affairs. Further, there is some