Unraveling Tea Master Hirono Ryoton

It is no exaggeration to say that the best part of history is the excitement of solving mysteries. In particular, as one of the great joys of history is trying to unravel the mysteries of people and events that do not appear on the surface of history.

Since we have recently gone back to Uji times with our latest Matcha collection, Tales of Uji, we would like to introduce a tea master named Hirono Ryoton who lived in Kyoto from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the beginning of the Edo period.

We do want to preface this by saying that there are many things remain unknown about Hirono Ryoton, including his birth and death years and his real name. However, his footsteps can still be seen today in a narrow alley called Ryotonzushi in the heart of Kyoto.

Here's how you can retrace his steps (if you are in Kyoto):

From the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge over the Kamo River, head west on Sanjo-dori, cross Karasuma-dori and turn left at the second street, and you will arrive at Ryotonzushi. The official name of the road is Kinudana-dori, and the approximately 100m stretch between Sanjo-dori and Rokkaku-dori is called Ryotonzushi.

(Highlighted portion is where Ryotonzushi is)

(A stone commemorating Hirono Ryoton)

To get a glimpse of Ryoton's personality:

"The Hirono family, successive vassals of the Ashikaga clan, owned this land during the time of Shogun Yoshiharu and Yoshiteru. Later, a descendant, Hirono Ryoton, shaved his head and set up a teahouse here, always keeping a kettle on the hearth and serving tea and sweets to guests. At the time, whenever Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to Kyoto he would always visit the Ito family at Shinmachi Sanjo Minami, and as Ryoton's residence was nearby he visited them. Despite Hideyoshi's sudden visit, when he asked Ryoton for tea, he made tea with boiling water from a kettle without a word of displeasure, so Hideyoshi was so moved by Ryoton's aspirations that he granted him the family land. For this reason, this town is called Ryoton Tsujiko."

Excerpt from Yongzhou Fuzhi (written by Kurokawa Dosuke, 1682-1686 ) p.8, p.37

The anecdote shows Ryoton serving tea to Hideyoshi  without  hesitation or complaint, even during a  sudden visit, with  hot water already ready. This reflects a key principle of Japanese tea ceremony: readiness, humility, and non-resistance. 

His humble act of hospitality toward Hideyoshi earned him land and historical recognition. He embodied the tea spirit of calm readiness, humility, and sincere hosting, which are qualities deeply valued in Japanese tea culture.

Hirono Ryoton may not appear in the grand annals of history, yet his presence lingers: in the steam rising from a kettle, in the gentle turn of a quiet Kyoto street, and in the unspoken language of tea.

His story reminds us that true mastery lies not in fame, but in the everyday acts of grace and presence. As we journey through the art of tea, may Ryoton’s spirit guide us: to serve with humility, to be ready without fanfare, and to find meaning in the subtle rituals that connect past to present.