Sen Soshitsu XVI (千宗室 (16代))
Soshitsu SEN XVI (1956 -) is the sixteenth generation grand master of the Urasenke (the house of Urasen), Genmoku Soshitsu, and his saigo is Zabosai. His real name is Masayuki. The grand master of the Urasenke succeeds to the name "Soshitsu" from generation to generation.
His wife is Masako SEN, the second daughter of Imperial Prince Mikasanomiya Takahito. His eldest son is a poet, Akifumi SEN. His father is Soshitsu SEN XV (Soshitsu HANSO XV, Hounsai). His mother is Tomiko. He graduated from the Department of Psychology of Faculty of Letters at Doshisha University. He practiced Zen Buddhism and took Buddhist orders at Daitoku-ji Temple. He received the Buddhist name Zabosai. In 2003, he inherited iemoto (the grant master) and succeeded to the name "Soshitsu." He is known as a writer, having written many collections of literary jottings. Unhampered by traditional 'iemoto of chado,' he is active in many fields such as being interested in rock and SF. He is a visiting professor of the Gakushuin Women's College. He is a member of the Japan P.E.N. Club. He was a classmate of Shinsho KAJITA, the chief abbot of the Honin-in Temple at the Senior High School attached to Kyoto University of Education. He is the head of the Parents Association of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
His Writings
"Watashi no 24 sekki nikki" (My Diary according to 24 divisions of the old calendar) (Chuokoron-shinsha, Inc.)
"Haha no Ita basho" (Where my mother was) (Chuokoron-shinsha, Inc.)
"Kino no youni Kyo ga ari" (Today is the same day as yesterday) (Kodansha Ltd.)