Exclusive Sen No Rikyū Statue By Sazen Tea

Sen no Rikyū Statue — Honoring the Spirit of Chanoyu

At Sazen Tea, we are happy to introduce our latest original creation: 
An exquisite bronze statue of Sen no Rikyū, crafted to celebrate his life and legacy, and bring a touch of his spirit into your home or tea space.

Reading time: 10 minutes
 

In the world of Japanese tea, few figures stand the test of time like Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591), the grand tea master and monk whose profound influence shaped the art of chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, into the meditative, minimalist practice we know today.

Born in Sakai to a prominent merchant family, Rikyū, originally named Yoshiro Tanaka, studied under the esteemed tea master Takeno Jōō in his youth, gradually rising to prominence.

As Rikyū himself taught, "The Way of Tea is naught but this: first you boil water, then you make the tea and drink it." This simple yet profound wisdom captures his philosophy, emphasizing humility, presence, and the beauty of the everyday.

Today, his teachings live on, inspiring generations to embrace mindfulness and harmony.
We hope our new statue can help spread this presence.

ABOUT THE STATUE

This new bronze statue is more than a decoration; it's a Sazen Tea original, born from our passion for chanoyu. We previously offered a wooden version, but after the original artisan passed away, we sought a new way to immortalize Rikyū.

Turning to bronze ensured durability and a lifelike appearance that echoes the aged beauty of wabi-sabi, making it a fitting tribute to the master who valued impermanence.

Crafted by the renowned traditional artisan Masaharu Takenaka (art name: Chikuōsai, or 竹翁斉), a fourth-generation master from Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture, this statue exemplifies the excellence of Takaoka copperware, a 400-year-old tradition designated as a Japanese Traditional Craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1975.

The Takenaka family, operating under Takenaka Dōki since 1927, has a storied history: the first generation produced items for the Kan'in-no-miya imperial family; the second presented works to Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun; the third hosted Prince Takamado and earned ministerial awards for industry innovation.

Today, the fourth generation continues this legacy, blending ancient casting techniques with modern precision to create over 3,000 statues, monuments, and decorative pieces known for their detailed finishes.

The statue itself is a masterpiece of artistry, measuring 12 cm wide by 15.2 cm high.

Depicted in a seated position, Rikyū appears poised in the midst of preparing tea, his hands gently cradling a chawan (tea bowl) as if inviting you to join a sacred ritual.

His expression conveys a profound presence, stern yet affectionate, with a Japanese stoicism that suggests deep meditation and oneness with the moment.

It's as if he's paused in time, fully immersed in the tea ceremony, utilizing the act of serving matcha as a tool for inward focus and silent contemplation.

This expression captures the essence of chanoyu: mindful, unhurried, and deeply connected to the here and now.

Beyond its historical and artistic value, it's designed for practicality in your daily life.

The bronze material ensures longevity, and comes complete with a traditional zabuton (floor cushion, approximately 55 x 59 x 5–10 cm) is an item that embodies Japanese hospitality, providing comfort for guests and participants in various settings.

Everything arrives in a well-finished paulownia (kiri) wooden box, lightweight, and traditionally used for precious items, signed by the master artisan himself, nestled within a protective outer carton for easy storage and gifting.

Whether you're a seasoned tea practitioner or a newcomer, this statue serves as a daily reminder to cultivate inner peace, making it ideal for a special spot in your home, tea corner, or meditation space.

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We encourage every tea lover to keep one nearby;
it's a product specially created to celebrate Rikyū's life and invite his wisdom into yours.

RELATED THOUGHTS

Sen no Rikyū's legacy was carried forward by his grandson, Sen Sōtan, whose three sons formalized the three Senke schools: Urasenke (centered around the iconic Konnichian tea room), Omotesenke (home to Fushin’an), and Mushanokojisenke (associated with Kankyuan).
Each school embodies Rikyū’s wabi-sabi principles through its distinct tea practices and symbolic tea rooms. These San-Senke schools maintain a traditional relationship with the Senke Jusshoku, ten esteemed artisan families specializing in crafting essential tea utensils, such as Raku ceramics, bamboo ladles, and metalwork. These families supply utensils for tea ceremonies, preserving the wabi aesthetic through generations of artistry. 

To enhance your tea space further, pair the statue with some thematic items, which align perfectly with Rikyū's principles:
 

DISCOVER JAPANESE RAKU BOWLS

No tea space is complete without authentic utensils, so we suggest complementing your setup with our Raku tea bowl replicas, inspired by Chōjirō's designs (the first generation in the Raku family line of potters) commissioned by Rikyū himself.

Kuro Raku Oguro Chōjirō
Handcrafted tea bowl by Shōraku Sasaki, this 11cm x 8.3cm black Raku replica of Chōjirō's "Ōguro" chawan, favored by Rikyū, features a deep glaze on Kyoto clay, embodying wabi-sabi's rustic charm for matcha rituals.

Unit price: $374 USD
* With free shipping for USD purchasers

Buy Kuro Raku Oguro Chojiro HERE

Kuro Raku Chōjirō Kamuro
This 10.5cm x 9cm Kamuro-style black Raku tea bowl, a Chōjirō utsushi by Shōraku Sasaki, mirrors Rikyū's cherished design with a matte glaze on clay, evoking humility in chanoyu.

Unit price: $495 USD
* With free shipping for USD purchasers

Buy Kuro Raku Chojiro Kamuro HERE

Kuro Raku Muki Guri Chōjirō
Handmade tea bowl replica of Chōjiro's "Muki Guri" square Raku chawan, one of Sen no Rikyū’s favorites from his later years; 9.8cm x 9.9cm x 8.1cm, fragile porous clay with a depth-changing glaze.

Unit price: $495 USD
* With free shipping for USD purchasers

Buy Kuro Raku Muki Guri HERE

These handcrafted bowls capture the rustic beauty Rikyū valued, perfect for your own chanoyu rituals.

Visit our raku ceramics menu for more grandiose raku bowls by clicking here.

 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

 

Kakejiku Ichigo Ichie
Featuring elegant calligraphy on paper, framed in cotton and embroidered silks like "Kibune" and golden "Takeyamachi Jikindan" damask, this 174 x 30.3 cm scroll arrives in a signed paulownia box, blending timeless techniques with refined simplicity. 

Unit price: $880 USD
* With free shipping for USD purchasers

Buy Kakejiku Ichigo Ichie HERE

Wa Kei Sei Jaku
At its heart, the Kakejiku Wa Kei Sei Jaku captures Rikyū's four pillars of chanoyu: Harmony (Wa), Respect (Kei), Purity (Sei), and Tranquility (Jaku), inviting an atmosphere of mindfulness to any corner or teaspace.

Unit price: $880 USD
* With free shipping for USD purchasers

Buy Kakejiku Wa Kei Sei Jaku HERE

These scrolls, hung alongside the statue, create a special space that honors Rikyū's legacy of simplicity and presence. Explore our full interior goods collection for more options, including incense trays and sticks to set the ambiance

For those eager to delve deeper into Rikyū's fascinating life, we invite you to explore our detailed portrait blog: 
Sen no Rikyū: The Greatest Master of Chanoyu.     

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