Adam Sōmu Wojciński is a boundary-breaking teaist, tireless researcher, and visionary artist. Through the prism of the Tea Way, he crafts an influential body of work, seamlessly blending three disciplines: tea mastery, scholarly exploration, and artistic expression.
As a protégé (jikideshi) of the 16th Grand Master of the Ueda Sōko Ryū, Adam has established the first global “shachū”, an official branch of teaists connected through online platforms. His student group spans Europe, Oceania, the Americas, and Asia.
Adam’s role in shaping the future of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) is fuelled by research into the historical foundations of the art. By translating pivotal manuscripts into English, he embodies the idea that authenticity stems from understanding one’s past.
In 2022, Adam was appointed to the board of the 暁 (Akatsuki) Junior Council of the Ueda Sōko Ryū, in recognition of his dedication and expertise. In 2021, Adam published « Pearl Among the Clouds, » the English translation of 日々ごゆだんなきよう (Japanese title), authored by Ueda Sōkō, the 16th Grand Master of the Ueda Sōkō Ryū.
Currently, Adam is preparing for publication « Learning the Way of Tea with Furuta Oribe”, the English translation of 『茶道長問織答抄』を読む (Japanese title), in collaboration with Kumakura Isao and Ueda Sōkei.
Adam’s artistic exploration of tea practice transcends tradition, embracing a contemporary art framework. By challenging the normative practices of the tea ceremony, he liberates the art form from cultural confines, sheds light on its prosaic and political dimensions, and opens chanoyu to wider audiences.
His experimental approach pays homage to the multicultural origins of the tea ceremony. As a polyglot and poly-cultural teaist, Adam advocates for universally relevant tea principles (不易流行 fueki ryūkō), emphasising harmony as the foundation, nature as the subject, practice/realisation as the work, purity as the spirit, no borders as the ethical dimension, and aesthetic expression as the language of tea.
In an era characterised by the erosion of truth and fortification of societal divisions, Adam’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the profound import of sharing a bowl of tea—a transformative act that illuminates compassionate ties between people.
© San Francisco State University
