Iemoto
Encyclopedia
Iemoto is a Japanese term
used to refer to the founder or current head master of a certain school of traditional Japanese art. It is used synonymously with the word sōke
(宗家) when it refers to the family or house that the iemoto is head of and represents.
The word iemoto is also used to describe a system of familial generations in traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony
, ikebana
, noh
, calligraphy
, traditional Japanese dance, traditional Japanese music
, the Japanese art of incense appreciation (kōdō
), the Japanese sencha
art (senchadō), and martial arts
. Shogi
and Go
once used the iemoto system as well. The iemoto system is characterized by a hierarchical structure and the supreme authority of the iemoto, who has inherited the secret traditions of the school from the previous iemoto.
An iemoto may be addressed by the title Iemoto or O-iemoto, or by the title Sōshō (宗匠) or Ō-sensei (大先生). In English, "Grand Master" is often the title that is used. The iemoto's main roles are to lead the school and protect its traditions, to be the final authority on matters concerning the school, to issue or approve licenses and certificates and, in some cases, to instruct the most advanced practitioners.
The title of iemoto in most cases is hereditary. It is commonly transmitted by direct line, or by adoption. Once the "successor-to-be" is officially recognized, that successor-to-be may be appropriated the title of "Wakasōshō" (若宗匠; lit., Young Master).
There can only be one iemoto at a time, which sometimes leads to the creation of new "houses" or "lines."
By tradition, the title of iemoto is passed down along with a hereditary name. In the Urasenke
tradition of tea ceremony, for example, the iemoto carries the name Sōshitsu.
Officially recognized teachers of the traditional arts that have an "iemoto" have obtained a license to teach from the iemoto, signifying the iemotos trust that the so-licensed person is capable and qualified to faithfully pass on the school's teachings. Students must also acquire licenses or certificates at various stages in their study. Depending on the school, such certificates either give the student permission to study at a particular level or affirm that the student has achieved a given level of mastery. Recipients must pay for these certificates which, at the highest level, may cost several million yen
. It is also the iemoto who authorises, selects and bestows ceremonial names for advanced practitioners.
(794-1185), there were iemoto-like family lines that were responsible for passing down the secret traditions and orthodox teachings of their particular school of art, but the first appearance of the word iemoto in extant records dates to the end of the 17th century, where it is used in reference to families entitled to have their sons become priests at great temples. Its use in the sense that it is used today, in the realm of traditional Japanese arts, starts to appear in documents in the middle of the 18th century.
The system of iemoto is a manifestation of the ie (家) or "household" and dōzoku (同族) or "extended kin" pattern of relationships in Japanese society.
The concept of the "Iemoto System" (家元制度) was explicated by the historian Matsunosuke Nishiyama in the post-war period to describe the social structures associated with exclusive family control and networks of instructors, a characteristic of the feudal era whose influence on traditional arts is still felt today.
Early in the 17th century, the then best player in Japan, Hon'inbō Sansa
, was made head of a newly founded Go academy (the Hon'inbō school (本因坊), which developed the level of playing greatly, and introduced the martial arts style system of ranking players. The government discontinued its support for the Go academies in 1868 as a result of the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate
.
In honour of the Hon'inbō school, whose players consistently dominated the other schools during their history, one of the most prestigious Japanese Go championships is called the "Honinbo" tournament.
, are Ikenobo
, Ohara
, and Sōgetsu
.
According to the organization Ikebana Network, there currently are 138 registered schools small and large (as of August 2008).
player, created a presidential system for his group, while koto
player Michiyo Yagi
has rejected both the iemoto system and the traditional style of her instrument, choosing to strike chords
.
Sōgetsu ikebana school official site: http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/index.html
Wakayagi-ryū Japanese classical dance iemoto's official site: http://www.wakayagiryu-souke.jp
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
used to refer to the founder or current head master of a certain school of traditional Japanese art. It is used synonymously with the word sōke
Soke
The word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
(宗家) when it refers to the family or house that the iemoto is head of and represents.
The word iemoto is also used to describe a system of familial generations in traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
, ikebana
Ikebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
, noh
Noh
, or - derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" - is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day and...
, calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
, traditional Japanese dance, traditional Japanese music
Traditional Japanese music
Traditional Japanese music is the term used to describe historical Japanese folk music, or traditional music.-Rhythm:One of the characteristics of traditional Japanese music is a sparse rhythm. It also doesn't have regular chords. In Japanese music, one cannot beat time with one's hands because...
, the Japanese art of incense appreciation (kōdō
Kodo
-In Japan:* The kōdō, Japanese incense ceremony.* Kodo , a taiko drumming group based in Japan.* The Kodo Group, a yakuza criminal organization...
), the Japanese sencha
Sencha
Sencha is a Japanese green tea, specifically one made without grinding the tea leaves. The word "sencha" means "decocted tea," referring to the method that the tea beverage is made from the dried tea leaves...
art (senchadō), and martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. Shogi
Shogi
, also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, and Chinese Xiangqi, and is the most popular of a family of chess variants native to Japan...
and Go
Go (board game)
Go , is an ancient board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago...
once used the iemoto system as well. The iemoto system is characterized by a hierarchical structure and the supreme authority of the iemoto, who has inherited the secret traditions of the school from the previous iemoto.
An iemoto may be addressed by the title Iemoto or O-iemoto, or by the title Sōshō (宗匠) or Ō-sensei (大先生). In English, "Grand Master" is often the title that is used. The iemoto's main roles are to lead the school and protect its traditions, to be the final authority on matters concerning the school, to issue or approve licenses and certificates and, in some cases, to instruct the most advanced practitioners.
The title of iemoto in most cases is hereditary. It is commonly transmitted by direct line, or by adoption. Once the "successor-to-be" is officially recognized, that successor-to-be may be appropriated the title of "Wakasōshō" (若宗匠; lit., Young Master).
There can only be one iemoto at a time, which sometimes leads to the creation of new "houses" or "lines."
By tradition, the title of iemoto is passed down along with a hereditary name. In the Urasenke
Urasenke
is the name of one of the main schools of Japanese tea ceremony. It is one of the san-Senke ; the other two are Omotesenke and Mushakōjisenke....
tradition of tea ceremony, for example, the iemoto carries the name Sōshitsu.
Officially recognized teachers of the traditional arts that have an "iemoto" have obtained a license to teach from the iemoto, signifying the iemotos trust that the so-licensed person is capable and qualified to faithfully pass on the school's teachings. Students must also acquire licenses or certificates at various stages in their study. Depending on the school, such certificates either give the student permission to study at a particular level or affirm that the student has achieved a given level of mastery. Recipients must pay for these certificates which, at the highest level, may cost several million yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
. It is also the iemoto who authorises, selects and bestows ceremonial names for advanced practitioners.
History
As far back as the Heian periodHeian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
(794-1185), there were iemoto-like family lines that were responsible for passing down the secret traditions and orthodox teachings of their particular school of art, but the first appearance of the word iemoto in extant records dates to the end of the 17th century, where it is used in reference to families entitled to have their sons become priests at great temples. Its use in the sense that it is used today, in the realm of traditional Japanese arts, starts to appear in documents in the middle of the 18th century.
The system of iemoto is a manifestation of the ie (家) or "household" and dōzoku (同族) or "extended kin" pattern of relationships in Japanese society.
The concept of the "Iemoto System" (家元制度) was explicated by the historian Matsunosuke Nishiyama in the post-war period to describe the social structures associated with exclusive family control and networks of instructors, a characteristic of the feudal era whose influence on traditional arts is still felt today.
Go
There were originally four main schools of Go: Hon'inbō, Hayashi, Inoue and Yasui; and three minor schools: Sakaguchi, Hattori and Mizutani.Early in the 17th century, the then best player in Japan, Hon'inbō Sansa
Honinbo Sansa
Honinbō Sansa was the assumed name of Kanō Yosaburō , one of the strongest Japanese Go players of the Edo period , and founder of the house of Honinbō, first among the four great schools of Go in Japan...
, was made head of a newly founded Go academy (the Hon'inbō school (本因坊), which developed the level of playing greatly, and introduced the martial arts style system of ranking players. The government discontinued its support for the Go academies in 1868 as a result of the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
.
In honour of the Hon'inbō school, whose players consistently dominated the other schools during their history, one of the most prestigious Japanese Go championships is called the "Honinbo" tournament.
Ikebana
The three main schools of Japanese flower arrangement, or ikebanaIkebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
, are Ikenobo
Ikenobo
Ikenobo is a school of Ikebana, or Japanese floral art.It is the oldest school of Ikebana in Japan, having been founded in the 15th century by the Buddhist monk Ikenobo Senno. The school, currently headed by its 45th generation Iemoto , Ikenobo Sen'ei, is based in the Rokkaku-dō Temple in Kyoto....
, Ohara
Ohara
Ohara may refer to:Places in Japan* Ōhara, Chiba* Ōhara, Okayama* Ohara District, ShimaneJapanese family names*Ohara, おはら, 小原（small field） or 尾原（tail field）*Ōhara, おおはら, 大原（big field）People* Chiaki Ohara, pianist* Hajime Ohara, professional wrestler...
, and Sōgetsu
Sogetsu
Sogetsu is a school of Ikebana, or Japanese floral art.It was founded 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara....
.
According to the organization Ikebana Network, there currently are 138 registered schools small and large (as of August 2008).
Japanese dancing
There are about 200 schools of Japanese dancing. The five most famous are the Hanayagi-ryū, Fujima-ryū, Wakayagi-ryū, Nishikawa-ryū, and Bandō-ryū.Criticisms of and resistance to the iemoto system
The iemoto system has been described as rigid, expensive, nepotistic, authoritarian and undemocratic. Some groups have chosen to reject the iemoto system. In the realm of the Japanese tea ceremony, Sensho Tanaka in 1898 initiated the Dai Nihon Chado Gakkai. Hiroaki Kikuoka, a shamisenShamisen
The , also called is a three-stringed, Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. The Japanese pronunciation is usually "shamisen" but sometimes "jamisen" when used as a suffix . -Construction:The shamisen is a plucked stringed instrument...
player, created a presidential system for his group, while koto
Koto (musical instrument)
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...
player Michiyo Yagi
Michiyo Yagi
, a Japanese musician, studied koto under the late Tadao Sawai, Kazue Sawai and Satomi Kurauchi, and graduated from the NHK Professional Training School for Traditional Musicians. Between 1989 and 1990 she was a visiting professor of Music at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, U.S.A...
has rejected both the iemoto system and the traditional style of her instrument, choosing to strike chords
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
.
External links
Ohara ikebana school official site: http://www.ohararyu.or.jp/english/index_e.htmlSōgetsu ikebana school official site: http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/index.html
Wakayagi-ryū Japanese classical dance iemoto's official site: http://www.wakayagiryu-souke.jp