Chitoseko

Tominico Senden (July 27, 1930 – March 9, 1999) was a Japanese tea practitioner. She was the wife of Sen Sōshitsu, the 15th head of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony, and held the court rank of Shōgoi. She was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class.

Biography

She was born in Tokyo as the third daughter of Tadajirō Tsukamoto, president of the Tsukamoto Commercial Association (the 4th generation Tsukamoto Tadaemon). Her maiden name was Tsukamoto. The Tsukamoto family belonged to a distinguished merchant family originating from Omi during the Edo period, and after the Meiji era, they managed Tsukamoto Shōten, a comprehensive trading company dealing in textiles, based in Tokyo. She graduated from Futaba Girls' High School and later completed studies at the Athénée Français.

Tominico was engaged to Kanetsune Sen. When she received a marriage proposal from Sen Sōshitsu, she was fond of French literature and wished to study in Paris, having been learning French at that time. She agreed to the marriage on the condition that she could continue studying French.

Later, she served as the chairwoman of the International Tea Culture Association and the principal of Urasenke Gakuen. Her writings include works focusing on Japan’s traditional culture and etiquette, such as "Kōnkonsōsai" (Weddings, Funerals, and Ceremonies) and "Seikatsu Goyomi" (Life Calendar). Additionally, she served as a director of the Japan Foundation, which is the largest international service organization led by working women, and as a director of the France-Japan Cultural Association.

In 1989, she was awarded the Blue Ribbon Medal. She died at age 68, after which she was posthumously awarded the court rank of Shōgoi and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class.

Family

Her father was Tadajirō Tsukamoto (the 4th generation Tsukamoto Tadaemon), and her mother was Mitsuru Tsukamoto (the third daughter of Kenzō Muraike). Her husband was Sen Sōshitsu, the 15th generation head of Urasenke (also known as Hansō Sōshitsu). Her eldest son was the 16th head, Sen Genmoku Sōshitsu, who married Princess Yōko, the second daughter of Prince Takahito Mikasa. Her grandchildren include Fumiaki Sen (Akihito Kikuchi), Makiko Sakata, and Chōshi Sen (Chōji Sōshi). Her second son was Masakazu Ijū, whose grandchildren are Kōichirō Ijū and Reijirō Ijū.

Sources

(Note: The source references are cited from the original text.)