Two Prominent Figures In Sakai City Cultivate Japanese Culture

Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko

(Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture)

【Bunka-jin（文化人）】refers to a cultured person in Japanese, someone well-versed in art, music, literature and etc. Sakai City in Osaka flourished as a hub of trade and a free city that embraced the atmosphere of vibrant and new cultures. Inheriting the tradition and spirit, two great cultured persons (Bunka-jin), Sen no Rikyu and Akiko Yosano, were grown in the city.

Sen no Rikyu, a tea master, was born in the 16th century during the Warring States period, a time when local lords vied for power to unify Japan. Akiko Yosano, a poet, was born in the 19th century, an era marked by modernization and the women’s liberation movement. Though they lived in different periods of history and specialized in different fields, both sought the beauty of the inner mind, followed their own paths that diverged from the established values of their times, and brought new meaning to tradition.

Sen no Rikyu was a tea master who established the tradition of wabi-cha (wabi-tea). Wabi is a sense of imperfection, simplicity combined with artistic beauty. It is not only the appearance of tea utensils but includes one’s mind to feel them. During that time, authority boasted luxurious tea utensils for tea ceremony to show their power. The most prominent example was a golden tea house that entire room and tea utensils were covered with gold leaf. In contrast, Rikyu embraced rusticity and imperfection in his tea utensils and inner beauty, harmony with nature in the ceremony.

At the pinnacle of his fame, the Great Unifier of Japan, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who built the golden tea house, suddenly order him to commit suicide, effectively sentencing him to death. The reason for the order remains unknown. One theory suggests that Rikyu had gained too much political influence, as he had close connection with the feudal lords who eagerly sought Rikyu’s instructions on the philosophy of tea ceremony. After his death, Rikyu’s practices evolved into a school of Japanese tea ceremony that has passed down through generations as a living tradition.

Akiko Yosano was a poet known for her bold and sensational works written from a woman’s perspective. She openly expressed her emotions of love, which sparked controversy at the time, as it was then considered virtuous for women to hide their true feelings about such matters.

She also wrote a poem about her younger brother, who had been sent to war, expressing her hope that he would not meet his end on the battlefield. This poem stirred controversy as well, as serving the nation was regarded as a citizen’s virtue under the nationalism of that era.

Akiko not only brought fresh, authentic voices into the literary world but also had a deep knowledge of traditional Japanese literature. She translated one of the oldest love stories, written in the 11th century, into modern Japanese, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy. Her contributions to both contemporary and classical literature greatly influenced modern women writers who followed in her footsteps.

“Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko” is a cultural tourism facility dedicated to showcasing the unique historical and cultural heritage of Sakai, honoring two prominent figures connected to the city.

Please visit the official website of Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko.