On the Anniversary of the End of World War II — The Spirit of Tea and Peace

Today, August 15, marks Japan’s anniversary of the end of World War II.

Yesterday, Sen Genshitsu, former Grand Master of Urasenke and a dedicated ambassador of Japanese culture to the world, passed away.

Urasenke is one of the three main schools of the Japanese Way of Tea, tracing its heritage back to Sen no Rikyu. With over 500 years of history, it is among the most widely recognised tea traditions both in Japan and abroad. Born into this distinguished family, Sen Genshitsu entered the Navy at the age of 20 and was assigned to a special attack unit.

Even amidst the rigours of military training, he always carried a portable tea set. From time to time, he would gather with his comrades in a circle and host simple tea gatherings.

One day, a comrade who had studied at Kyoto University said:

“Sen, if I make it back alive, serve me tea in a real tearoom.”

Hearing these words, Sen realised, vividly and painfully, that he was truly going to die.

In the special attack unit, tea was not prepared to raise morale for battle.

A single bowl of tea offered, even for a fleeting moment, a release from the violence of war — filling the soldiers’ hearts with the warmth of their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, children, and hometowns, and reminding them of the preciousness of life.

At Kanoa Tea, we strive to carry this spirit of tea into the present day.

No matter how challenging or difficult life may be, taking the time to prepare and savour a single cup of tea can create a boundary from hardship and restore a sense of peace.

Japanese tea culture — from matcha to gyokuro — has always been about offering such moments.

That is why we hope our gyokuro will be enjoyed with thoughts of peace in mind.