The name of the founder of the Sen family, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) is known not only in the world of chanoyu, but occupies an important place in the history of Japan. As tea master to Oda Nobunaga (1534-82) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-98) he established himself as the foremost tea master in Japan, at the centre of Momoyama period culture. Chanoyu thus holds an important position in Japanese cultural tradition. Omotesenke, the main family transmitting the way of chanoyu, has preserved its traditions which have been inherited by the present 14th generation Iemoto Jimyosai Sosa. Rikyu's ideal of 'wabi-cha' is not a beauty that is directly visible to the eye but a beauty that lies in an atmosphere and is visible to someone seeking spiritual satisfaction. In other words it is a beauty that is perceived by the heart rather than the eye. Wabi-cha, based on the ideals of Zen and waka poetry, matured in its own way against the background of Japan's natural features to become the basis of Omotesenke style chanoyu. Copyright© 2005 Omotesenke Fushin'an Foundation. All Rights Reserved.