The Master's Last Cup: Sen no Rikyū's Story [MV]

This historical ballad tells the story of Sen no Rikyū, a master of the tea ceremony who became a close advisor to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Eventually his independence and difference of thought put him on a collision course with Hideyoshi who in a fit of rage made a fateful decision.


・The first illustration depicts Sen no Rikyū receiving word to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
・The second illustration depicts Rikyū meeting Hideyoshi.
・The third illustration depicts Rikyū performing the tea ceremony for his disciples.
・The fourth illustration depicts Rikyū's final moments on April 21st 1591.


Verse 1
As night falls, messengers arrive at my home
To my lord Hideyoshi, I am summoned
In my heart, I know my fate has been decided
I go now to hear the end of my life

Chorus
I cleanse my hands in the stone basin
I blend the tea with my whisk
I admire the simple beauty of my bowl
To this one ceremony, I dedicate my life

Verse 2
My lord waits for me, all alone, in his great hall
His gaze pierces my soul, his words are what I expect
I've displeased him, and the price is my life
He grants me one last honor, to host a final ceremony

Chorus
I cleanse my hands in the stone basin
I blend the tea with my whisk
I admire the simple beauty of my bowl
To this one ceremony, I dedicate my life

Verse 3
I welcome my disciples to our last ceremony
The one bowl we share, and together we it admire
As a sign of farewell, I give them my tea tools
All, except the bowl, which I break so no one else touch it

Chorus
I cleanse my hands in the stone basin
I blend the tea with my whisk
I admire the simple beauty of my bowl
To this one ceremony, I dedicate my life

Verse 4
I bid my disciples a last farewell
All but one, who stays as my witness
I write my death poem and entrust it to him
And then I welcome the blade into my embrace

Chorus
I cleanse my hands in the stone basin
I blend the tea with my whisk
I admire the simple beauty of my bowl
To this one ceremony, I dedicate my life, farewell


Concept & Lyrics: Toshiro
Music & Vocals: Suno
Illustrations: OpenAi
Translation & Writing Assistance: Gemini