One of the Rikyu Hundred Poems on the Way of Tea reads, “In study, begin at one and learn through ten; then return to the original one.” This progress by an individual through the study of tea is marked by means of licences.

For the Urasenke tradition in particular, licences first of all mark a person’s entrance into a specified field of study. Obtaining the licence to enter the next level of study indicates a kind of graduation from the previous level. In this way of thinking, licences are always given at the beginning point of study rather than at its completion. In fact, as the Rikyu poem suggests, true study is never completed.

Here at the Urasenke Foundation San Francisco, the first term of the Introductory Course is considered more an exploration of what the study of chanoyu involves. Therefore, no licences are necessary for a person’s first term. However, licences are required when a person begins the second term of the Introductory Course. This first level of licences [nyumon or entrance, konarai or literally “small” learning, and chabako or “tea-in-a-box”] will cover a person’s path of study for several years.

Each person continues to learn at his or her own pace. When ready for the next level of study (a decision mutually agreed upon by student and teacher), licences for that particular field will be obtained in order to begin the study. There are five licences within the intermediate level, three licences within the upper level, three licences for the beginning instructor, one for the intermediate instructor and one for advanced instructor. Again, each student is free to learn at their own pace and to decide to what level they want to learn.

URASENKE LICENCE APPLICATION INFORMATION

Beginner Certification
	Nyûmon, Entrance
	Konarai, First Learning
	Chabako, Portable Tea Procedures

Intermediate Certification
	Satsûbako, for a Two Koicha Procedure
	Karamono, for a Chinese Tea Container
	Daitenmoku, for aTemmoku Teabowl
	Bondate, for a Historical Chinese Tea Container
	Wakindate, for a Received Fabric

Upper Level Certification
	Gyônogyô daisu, transmitted daisu procedure
	Daiennosô, transmitted tray procedure
	Hikitsugi, permission to give licences through intermediate level

Beginning Instructor Certification
	Shinnogyô daisu, transmitted daisu procedure
	Daiennoshin, transmitted tray procedure
	Seihikitsugi, permission to give licences through upper level

Intermediate Instructor Certification
	Chamei, Tea Name, permission to give licences through beginning instructor level
	Monkyo, permission for tsubotsubo mon

Advanced Instructor Certification
	Junkyôju, advanced degree, permission to give licences through intermediate instructor