I have always been a fan of Sen-No-Rikyu and admired the changes he brought forward in Japanese tea ceremony. If you have a chance to visit Kyoto you must see Shigure-Tei, a 16th centurey tea house. The name derives itself from the unique ceiling construction where bamboo and logs are interwoven in a radiating pattern similar to an umbrella.

Rikyu taught many things about the tea ceremony and designed new utensils for serving tea. Rather than basing them on the formal Chinese designs that were previously used, Rikyu’s designs possessed asymmetrical irregularities which gave them more natural beauty.

Rikyu’s relationship with Hideyoshi was a complex one and eventually caused his death. Rikyu was more than Hideyoshi’s tea master and advisor. When Rikyu refused Hideyoshi’s request to take Rikyu’s daughter as a concubine, the relationship never recovered.

Eventually, Hideyoshi ordered Rikyu to commit ritual suicide. While the reasons are not known, tradition holds that Hideyoshi was infuriated when he entered the gate of Daitoku-ji temple (whose construction he had funded) and saw that he was walking under a statue of Rikyu.

After Rikyu’s death, Hideyoshi was said to have repented, regretting the loss of such a great person. Just before his death, Rikyu called together his family and disciples.

He then composed his death poem.

I raise the sword.
This sword of mine;
Long in my possession.
The time is come at last.
Skyward I throw it up!