Murata Jukō

Who was Murata Jukō?

Murata Jukō is known in Japanese cultural history as the founder of chanoyu, in that he was the early developer of the wabi-cha style of tea enjoyment employing native Japanese implements. His name may also be pronounced Murata Shukō.

He was born in Nara and his original profession was as an attendant at Shōmyōji, a Buddhist temple of the Jōdō sect in Nara. His interest in chanoyu took him to Kyoto, where he learned from Nōami about the style of chanoyu practiced by the Ashikaga shōgun. He also practiced Zen under the priest Ikkyū Sōjun.