Japan's grand tea master Sen Genshitsu dies at 102: reports / Photo: TORU YAMANAKA - POOL/AFP/File
-
Japan protests Putin's first visit to disputed islands
-
Hasan takes 6-55 as Bangladesh bundle out Australia for 198
-
Kiss wants fit-again Wallabies playmaker Gordon to 'open up' Japan
-
Swiatek sinks Svitolina to set up Rybakina title clash in Toronto
-
British eccentrics push humble garden shed to new heights
-
Australia's Pallister shines, mixed relay record falls as Pan Pacs open
-
Zambia votes with president's economic record on the line
-
Hasan puts Bangladesh in charge as Australia struggle to 183-8
-
Germany's dry rivers spark battle on engineering vs restoration
-
Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan
-
Senators demand inquiry into conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
-
Swiatek downs Svitolina to reach first WTA final of 2026
-
All Blacks' Proctor out of South Africa series, Mo'unga called up
-
Jones says Japan 'watching videos of geese' for Australia clash
-
Bangladesh quick Hasan reduces Australia to 74-4 at lunch
-
Bloodied but unbowed, defending champ Shelton reaches Montreal final
-
Seoul tech leads Asian stock gains as traders cheer US inflation
-
Wallabies make eight changes for return Japan Test
-
Farage and Count Binface go head-to-head in snap UK poll
-
Messi returns after father's death but Miami knocked out of Leagues Cup
-
Afghan students divided over smartphone ban at universities
-
Outflanked by AI, stars fade for South Korea's blind fortune-tellers
-
Japan go back to school for second Australia Test
-
Venezuela govt, opposition wrap up round of post-Maduro talks
-
Matthew McConaughey on his sweet return to the big screen
-
Five things to know about Zambia as it goes to the polls
-
President's economic record on the line as Zambia votes
-
Nakashima holds off Jodar to book first ATP Masters final in Montreal
-
Grieving Messi available for Miami in Leagues Cup clash
-
Trump 'low-key' bets on economic pressure against Iran
-
Colombia enters 'final phase' of quake search as toll hits 265
-
Pitch invaders take selfies with Fernandes during Man Utd friendly
-
Father-figure Christie helps guide Kounta to European silver
-
No-stress Sabalenka won't fret over lackluster 2026 results
-
McIlroy returns to St. Jude to launch marathon PGA playoff push
-
Hometown hero Hudson-Smith basks in Euro glory
-
Guimaraes makes Arsenal debut in Como friendly
-
PSG down Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup
-
Travis Kelce says wedding to Taylor Swift was 'best night of my life'
-
Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt to step down
-
US stocks mostly up after data shows slightly lower inflation in July
-
'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege
-
Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
-
As millions gazed in awe, a swathe of Spain plunged into darkness
-
Hudson-Smith regains Euro 400m title on home track
-
Xavi named first foreign Netherlands coach since 1978
-
Rob Reiner son denies grand jury murder charges
-
NBA triple-double king Westbrook to retire after 18 seasons
-
Spain darkens as solar eclipses races south from Arctic
-
'Trying to bury the science': US climate research under siege
Japan's grand tea master Sen Genshitsu dies at 102: reports
Sen Genshitsu, a would-be kamikaze pilot who became a Japanese tea ceremony master preparing cups of matcha for world leaders and monarchs, died aged 102 on Thursday, reports said.
With a motto of "peacefulness through a bowl of tea", Kyoto-born Sen used ancient "Urasenke" tea tradition rituals to spotlight his anti-war messages.
The United Nations headquarters in New York and the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii -- the scene of a devastating Japanese attack that brought the US into World War II -- were among the locations for his ceremonies.
His death was reported by major Japanese media, including the national broadcaster NHK and the top-selling newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.
AFP could not immediately reach the Urasenke school for comment.
Born in 1923, Sen went through training as a young man to become a kamikaze pilot in World War II, but the fighting ended before he had to carry out a suicidal mission.
He later told how he used to serve tea to his fellow soldiers during military training.
In a 2023 interview with NHK, Sen stressed the calming effects of tea culture.
"A bowl of tea makes spirits very peaceful. When everyone is peaceful, there will be no war," he said.
An ordained Zen monk, Sen became the 15th-generation grand master of the Urasenke school in 1964 following the death of his father who had previously headed the tradition.
He offered tea to monarchs and presidents including Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and counted the former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger and former Chinese president Hu Jintao as friends.
He said that his wartime experience had helped shape his views on the importance of peace.
In 1997, he received the Order of Culture in Japan and in 2020, he was given the Legion of Honour, France's most prestigious order of merit.
He retired in 2002 as the head of the tea school, passing it to his son, but he remained active up until his death.
Even after he turned 102 in April, he held more than 100 cultural and government advisory positions and gave speeches, including some lasting more than an hour, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.
He also worked as a goodwill ambassador for the UN cultural and education agency, UNESCO.
He was known as "Flying Grand Master" for his busy travel schedules.
T.Vitorino--PC
