The two Japanese films, 1989’s Rikyu and 2013’s Ask This of Rikyu, could have been written by the same screenwriter as the plots tell almost identical sequence of incidents in Sen no Rikyū‘s life. I know because I binge watched the two movies one Saturday morning last year, and I wish I had written this post back then, but as always procrastination prevails.
Critics, if they haven’t done so already, will probably give the 1989 film an 8 on a scale of 10, and the 2013 film a 7 or 6. Illuminated by that indelible Japonais sensibility – punctilious, arcane, eccentric – the decades-old production attains cinematic art-house distinction that bars any critic from favoring the more visually stunning 2013 work. In my opinion, superb casting cast the die. A thespian maven who conveyed sentiments with reticent disposition, subtle bodily movements, even his baggy eyes, the older and wiser actor portrayed the tea master’s devoir exquisitely. By comparison, in the 2013 film, 
Kabuki actor Ebizô Ichikawa underestimated the effort required to deliver the film’s theme – desiderium. How could he look almost the same at the age of seventy when Sen no Rikyū committed seppuku as at the age of twenty when he was a coxcomb? Tea must not be mistaken for the fountain of youth. The plot’s most extraneous love affair became the ultimate culprit after injecting the extravagant production with a fatal dose of melodrama.
Via different implementations, both films successfully depict my favorite Rikyū anecdote – the 1586 tea ceremony that Hideyoshi performed for the emperor inside the Golden Tea Room, a space so confined yet laden with such grandeur and earthly desires! Only after watching both movies did I learn that a Rikyū statue/idol, which some believe to be commissioned by Rikyū himself, greatly contributed to his demise.
It never occurred to me to write another post on tea-themed films as I have previously reviewed the very disappointing Tea Fight! and Green Tea, and the pretentious The Taste of Tea. Another 1989 cinematic piece, Death of a Tea Master, should have been assessed as well, but I was not aware of its existence until a few days ago. Anyone interested in reviewing it?
Images courtesy of Ifang Hsieh.
You can find out about the film “Green Tea” referenced in the last paragraph, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Tea_(film)
Ms. Hsieh, this is a very interesting post. If there were a good film about tea, what would it be? Documentary? Love story?
Aneger,
I also reviewed “Green Tea” in my post https://tching.com/2013/01/reviews-of-two-more-tea-movies/. IMHO it’s not a good film…
You asked a good question. I would love to see another documentary about tea, nothing else but tea.
Perhaps I’ll spend time watching “In Search of Wabi Sabi” on YouTube.
Ifang, once again you’ve outdone yourself with the helpful links. Thanks for this fascinating account of the two similar films. My first interest in tea came by way of seeing a Japanese tea ceremony. I instantly fell in love with this ritual. I know I’ll enjoy watching the movies that highlight the ceremony. I’ll check out the Death of a Tea Master and see if it’s to my liking.
Michelle,
The editors added a link in the first paragraph: Sen no Rikyū‘s Wikipedia page.
His descendants’ account of his life:
http://www.omotesenke.jp/english/list3/
Ifang,
I’d love to take on the review of “Death of a Tea Master” if you are looking for someone to write it. I’ve been studying tea ceremony now for more than a decade and remember seeing the film quite early on in my time with tea (as a focused “way”). I’ve viewed it once again since then and believe it contains an array of themes certainly not present in the 1989 film (and certainly not present in the most recent Rikyu film). Your thoughts on the go-ahead for this review would be much appreciated.
Best,
Scott
Thanks for stepping up Scott. I’ll have Tony reach out to you and get you all the details pertaining to becoming a potential guest contributor. I would love to have your voice on
T Ching regarding Tea Ceremony. That’s an area which I know our readers would love to learn more about.
Scott,
This is great. Looking forward to reading your review! A few years ago I wrote a post on “Asian Corridor in Heaven” (https://tching.com/2009/01/asian-corridor-in-heaven/) Perhaps you are interested in reviewing tea-related documentaries as well?
Ifang, thank you for your fascinating article! The story of Sen no Rikyu is a particular interest of mine – we’re currently editing a short film/doc about his life and the ‘statue story’ shot during a trip to Japan this spring (we hope to have it finished by the start of August). The story of the statue as the reason for Rikyu’s Seppuku is certainly compelling and symbolically resonant, but there was a great deal more happening behind the scenes which contributed to Hideyoshi’s decision.
The only film made about Rikyu I’ve seen so far is Death of a Tea Master (1989) – it the infamous ‘Morning Glory’ story is told particularly well! – I will definitely watch Rikyu and Ask this of Rikyu. It would be interesting to trace the themes and approaches to Chanoyu and the telling of Rikyu’s story between all three movies. I find Hideyoshi to be particularly compelling, and I would like to see how Rikyu and Ask this of Rikyu approach his character. I’m very interested in Rikyu and Hideyoshi, their dualities and contrasts (eg Rikyu’s Taian vs. The Golden Tea Room), their working relationship, and what contributed to it breaking down so terribly.
Would love to read a review of Death of a Tea Master from a tea ceremony expert, Scott!
Hi Jo,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Rikyū and Hideyoshi. In addition to the “statue,” Rikyū’s disapproval of, or lack of support for, Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea must have damaged their friendship.
Among the countless productions, I am especially fond of Japanese actor Naoto Takenaka’s portrayal of Hideyoshi in the 1996 Taiga Drama “Hideyoshi.” I was surprised to find all 49 episodes on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyDwdPxxx_nJmi2EBu0rZ97Umlcm3_Sx8); they are without English subtitles though. Episode #45 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVv6_1ivtEc) depicts Rikyū’s last days…
Looking forward to seeing your short film! Please let us know its release date.
know if there is anyplace I could stream these? would NOT mind paying. just don’t want to accumulate anymore DVDs.
YouTube:
1) “Rikyū” (1989) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lnh70VO3I
2) “Death of a Tea Master” (1989) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlnQO_rRRcI
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