The “Sakai Plaza of Rikyū and Akiko” is located where the Sakai Shogunate is said to have existed. Here you can find the Sen-no-Rikyū Chanoyu Museum, where you can trace the tea master’s footsteps as you uncover the history and culture of Chanoyu tea ceremony.

Now we’ll introduce a story about Sen-no-Rikyū. He had a friend named Hechikan, who was also a disciple of Rikyū’s master. One day, Rikyū was invited to tea, and when he made for Hechikan’s home, he found traces of what looked like a pitfall dug into the ground. Moreover, smoke seemed to be rising from the direction of the bath.

Rikyū caught on to Hechikan’s intent and, feigning ignorance, dropped into the pit. Hechikan looked as innocent as a dove when he said, “Bath’s ready.”

Hechikan said with his actions that the tea drunk after a good bath is the tastiest, and Rikyū followed his logic. This comical, mutual contest of wits embodies the kind of sophisticated games the Chanoyu tea masters of Sakai encouraged and nurtured.