森宗勇｜MORI Soyu 茶道裏千家

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MORI Soyu

MORI SOYU

Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Soyu Mori is the 16th-generation successor of the Mori Seidayu family, the hereditary chief retainers (Karo) of the Kururi Domain, a cadet branch descended from the family of the Sengoku warlord Mori Tadamasa. Tadamasa’s elder brother, Mori Ranmaru, is renowned for serving as the page of Oda Nobunaga and for sacrificing his life during the Incident at Honnō-ji in 1582.

In 1998, Mori moved to France to study the craft of pipe organ building. After returning to Japan, he worked in television production for NHK(Japan broadcasting corporation） from 2001 to 2007.

He studied the Urasenke tradition of Japanese tea under Sosei Seisho, ceramics under Makito Kawai, wheel throwing under Masakazu Yoshida of Kasho Kiln, and bamboo craftsmanship under Takeo Ishii.

He was granted the tea name “Soyu” by Sen Sōshitsu XVI (Zabōsai), Grand Master of the Urasenke School, and was subsequently appointed Associate Professor (Junkyōju) of the Urasenke tradition.

From 2013 to 2014 he taught Japanese tea ceremony at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, and from 2015 to 2025 at Université Grenoble Alpes (formerly Stendhal University Grenoble III), where he conducted annual autumn courses on the Japanese tea ceremony.

He has presented the Way of Tea and conducted tea gatherings in Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Vatican City, Switzerland, Germany, China, South Korea, Thailand, Belgium, Monaco, Algeria, Cameroon, and Cambodia.

His activities focus on promoting Japanese tea culture internationally, particularly through cultural exchange between Japan and France. Guided by the philosophy of “Making the Way of Tea Accessible to Everyone,” he seeks to preserve tradition while introducing tea culture to people encountering it for the first time.

Current Positions

Representative, Franco-Japanese Tea Ceremony Association
Director of Historical Archives, TOKYO TOWER Co., Ltd.
Member, Ujo-kai (Kururi Domain Historical Society)
Director, Seigado Library
Member, Japan Organ Society
Lifetime Senior Member, Tankokai Foundation
Member, Urasenke International Association
Council Member, Minato Ward Ikebana & Tea Ceremony Federation

Selected Activities

See the full list of events

Selected Activities — Selected Activities

2013

At the invitation of the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, conducted a formal tea gathering at the Royal University of Phnom Penh in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Bopha Devi and His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso.
2016

At the invitation of the Embassy of Japan in Algeria, conducted tea ceremonies at the Palace of Culture and the Museum of Calligraphy in Algiers, attended by former Deputy Prime Minister H.E.M.Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, Presidential Adviser H.E.M.Youcef Yousfi, and other distinguished guests.
2018

Organized tea gatherings at the Eiffel Tower Observatory, Lyon City Hall, and other venues as part of the official Japonismes 2018 program commemorating the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and France.
2019

Re-established the tea room Musha-kyo on the 150-meter Main Deck of Tokyo Tower in celebration of its 60th anniversary. The opening ceremony was attended by Grand Tea Master Hounsai, the 14th Lord of the former Kururi Domain Yuji KURODA, Tea Master Otani, and representatives of the Urasenke school.In the same year, conducted a tea ceremony at the Official Residence of the Permanent Delegate of Japan to the OECD in Paris, in the presence of Prince Jean d’Orléans, Count of Paris, Head of the former French Royal Family.
Since 2020

Founder and host of the regular tea gathering “Tokyo Tower Morning Chanoyu”, held on the Main Deck of Tokyo Tower.
2025

At the request of the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO, organized tea ceremonies at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris and UNESCO Headquarters, serving tea to UNESCO Director- General Mr.Khaled El-Enany , former Director-General Ms.Irina Bokova, and Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême of the former French Royal Family.
2026

Hosted a tea gathering at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to UNESCO for UNESCO Director- General Mr.Khaled El-Enany , former Director-General Ms.Irina Bokova, and Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême.

Honors — Honors

2013

Received a tea scoop from Rev. Daishin HASEGAWA, former Head Priest of Daitoku-ji Sangen-in Temple.
2015

Received a tea scoop from Eiji KURODA, 14th Lord of the former Kururi Domain.
2016

Received a calligraphy work from Grand Master Hounsai (Sen Sōshitsu XV) of the Urasenke School.
2018

Received a calligraphy work from Grand Master Hounsai.
2019

Received a calligraphy work from Grand Master Hounsai.
2020

Received a calligraphy from Tea Master Sosei SEI.
2022

Received a tea scoop and calligraphy work from Grand Master Hounsai.
2024

Received a tea scoop from Narimasa TOKUGAWA, 15th Head of the Mito Tokugawa Family.
2026

Received a hanging scroll work from His Royal Highness the Duke of Angoulême.