Rikyu Hyakushu is a collection of over 100 poems (waka, structured in 5-7-5-7-7 syllables) that summarize the tea master Sen no Rikyu's teachings on the Way of Tea in an easy-to-understand format for beginners. There are officially 102 poems in total. It is also known as Rikyu Doka (Rikyu's Poems of the Way).

Today, I would like to introduce a few famous poems from the collection:

1. The Mindset of Learning

その道に入らんと思ふ心こそ 我身ながらの師匠なりけれ
(Sono michi ni iran to omou kokoro koso / Waga mi nagara no shisho nari kere)

Meaning: Having a strong desire to learn on your own is the best master to guide you. This teaches us the ideal mindset not only for the Way of Tea, but whenever we take on new challenges.

2. Practice Over Criticism

ならひつつ見てこそ習へ習はずに よしあしいふは愚なりけり
(Narai tsutsu mite koso narae narawazu ni / Yoshiashi iu wa oroka nari keri)

Meaning: It is foolish to criticize something as good or bad based purely on talk without actually experiencing it or observing it carefully yourself.

3. Asking Questions Without Shame

はぢをすて人に物とひ習ふべし これぞ上手のもとゐなりける
(Haji o sute hito ni mono toi naraubeshi / Kore zo jozu no motoi nari keru)

Meaning: Asking others without feeling embarrassed when you don't understand something is the very foundation of improvement.

4. Focusing on Results Over Rules

炭置くはたとひ習ひに背くとも 湯のよくたぎる炭は炭なり
(Sumi oku wa tatoi narai ni somuku tomo / Yu no yoku tagiru sumi wa sumi nari)

Meaning: In the Way of Tea, there are basic rules for placing charcoal. However, if you stick too rigidly to the manual and the water fails to boil, it becomes meaningless. Even if the procedure deviates slightly from the rules, if the water boils properly as a result, that arrangement of charcoal is correct.

Nowadays, Rikyu's Poems of the Way are also written on hanging scrolls and folding fans to inspire practitioners.

By Alan H.