On August 14, 2025, the world bid farewell to Dr. Sen Genshitsu, a man whose life spanned war, peace, and the quiet, profound ritual of tea. Known as the 15th-generation grand master of the Urasenke School of Tea, Dr. Sen passed away in Kyoto at the age of 102, leaving behind a legacy that transformed a centuries-old Japanese tradition into a global language for reconciliation and understanding.
Born Masaoki Sen on April 19, 1923, in Kyoto, Dr. Sen was the eldest son and heir apparent to the Urasenke grandmaster at the time, according to The New York Times. His family lineage traced directly back to Sen no Rikyu, the revered philosopher who established the spiritual and aesthetic foundations of the tea ceremony in the 16th century. From the age of six, young Masaoki was steeped in the rituals of Chado—the Way of Tea—destined to inherit a role that would ultimately shape not only his own life, but the lives of countless others across the globe.
Yet, as with so many of his generation, the outbreak of World War II cast a long shadow over his youth. In 1941, the same year he entered Doshisha University, Japan launched its war against the United States. By 1943, Sen was conscripted into the Imperial Navy and began training as a Kamikaze pilot. He volunteered for a "special attack" squadron, prepared to give his life in a suicide mission, as detailed by Associated Press. "I thought I was ready to die," he later reflected, "but I was just a greenhorn of 20 or 21 years of age. I didn’t know what death meant." In a twist of fate, Sen was never deployed—historians note that the Japanese military sometimes spared the eldest sons of families with significant historical standing. After the war, Sen would ask a former commander why he had not been sent. The answer: "Just think of it as fate."
Surviving the war left Sen with a deep sense of responsibility. He spoke openly about his sorrow for comrades who never returned and did not hide his anger toward the leaders who sent so many young men to their deaths. "We were told to die because others would fill our ranks," he said. "But who wants to die?" These hard-won convictions would infuse his later mission with urgency and authenticity.
After the war’s end, Sen inherited the title of Soshitsu Sen XV in 1964, becoming the 15th Grand Master of Urasenke, one of Japan’s three principal tea schools. From that moment, he set out to redefine the purpose of the tea ceremony for a world scarred by conflict. He coined the phrase "peacefulness through a bowl of tea," and made it his life’s work to spread this message far beyond Japan’s borders. As Urasenke officials described, he performed tea ceremonies more than 300 times in 70 countries, earning the affectionate nickname "the flying teamaster."
Dr. Sen’s tea diplomacy was as practical as it was symbolic. He traveled to more than 60 countries, performing ceremonies for global leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and U.S. President George W. Bush, according to Urasenke records. These events were more than mere demonstrations—they were acts of bridge-building, intended to foster dialogue and understanding. In milestone years marking the end of World War II, Sen hosted special ceremonies to pray for peace. Perhaps most poignantly, in 2011, he traveled to Pearl Harbor and served tea at the USS Arizona memorial, honoring those who died in the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. "Facing what happened in the past and relaying its lessons to future generations is the responsibility of those of us who survived," he said at the time.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sen never shied away from his wartime experiences, using them as a platform to advocate for a world without war. "Serving tea brings peace to everyone," he once told Associated Press. "If everyone feels peaceful, there will be no war." His belief in the transformative power of tea was not mere sentiment. Rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy, the tea ceremony—Chado—teaches humility, respect, and mindfulness, values Sen believed could heal the wounds of history.
Dr. Sen’s impact was not limited to ceremonial halls or diplomatic salons. Under his leadership, Urasenke expanded its reach dramatically, now boasting 167 branches in Japan and many more abroad. The school has become a living testament to Sen’s vision, preserving the ancient rituals while adapting them for contemporary audiences. Students and practitioners the world over have been inspired by his teachings, which emphasized not only technical mastery but also the importance of inner peace and mutual respect.
Sen’s contributions did not go unrecognized. He received Japan’s prestigious Order of Culture in 1997 and France’s Legion of Honor in 2020, honors that reflected both his cultural and diplomatic achievements. In 2002, after nearly four decades at the helm, Sen passed the grandmastership to his son Masayuki, taking the name Genshitsu Sen in accordance with tradition. Even in retirement, he remained active as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and advisor to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, continuing to promote the values he cherished until early 2025, when a fall led to declining health.
Dr. Sen’s final months were marked by physical frailty but not by regret. After injuring his hip in May, he was hospitalized, and his health deteriorated. When his breathing stopped suddenly on August 14, efforts were not made to prolong his life, in keeping with his wishes, as his family and the Urasenke school confirmed. His wake and funeral were private affairs, with a public memorial expected at a later date.
In the end, Dr. Sen Genshitsu’s life was a testament to the power of transformation. From a young man prepared for death in war, he became a global messenger for peace, using the humble tea bowl as his instrument. His story reminds us that even the most ancient traditions can be repurposed for healing in the modern world—and that sometimes, the simplest gestures can have the most lasting impact.
