Iemoto

Iemoto (Japanese: 家元?) lit. "family foundation" is a Japanese term used to refer to the founder or current Head Master of a certain school of traditional Japanese art. It is used synonymously with the word sōke (宗家?) when it refers to the family or house that the iemoto is head of and represents.

The word iemoto is also used to describe a system of familial generations in traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony (inc. sencha tea ceremony), ikebana, noh, calligraphy, traditional Japanese dance, traditional Japanese music, the Japanese art of incense appreciation (kōdō), and martial arts. Shogi and go once used the iemoto system as well. The iemoto system is characterized by a hierarchical structure and the supreme authority of the iemoto, who has inherited the secret traditions of the school from the previous iemoto.

An iemoto may be addressed by the title Iemoto or O-iemoto, or by the title Sōshō (宗匠?) or Ō-sensei (大先生?). In English, "Grand Master" is often the title that is used. The iemoto's main roles are to lead the school and protect its traditions, to be the final authority on matters concerning the school, to issue or approve licenses and certificates and, in some cases, to instruct the most advanced practitioners.

The title of iemoto in most cases is hereditary. It is commonly transmitted by direct line, or by adoption. Once the "successor-to-be" is officially recognized, that successor-to-be may appropriate the title of Wakasōshō (若宗匠?) "Young Master".

There can only be one iemoto at a time, which sometimes leads to the creation of new "houses" or "lines."

By tradition, the title of iemoto is passed down along with a hereditary name. In the Urasenke tradition of tea ceremony, for example, the iemoto carries the name Sōshitsu.

Officially recognized teachers of the traditional arts that have an "iemoto" have obtained a license to teach from the iemoto, signifying the iemoto's trust that the so-licensed person is capable and qualified to faithfully pass on the school's teachings. Students must also acquire licenses or certificates at various stages in their study. Depending on the school, such certificates either give the student permission to study at a particular level or affirm that the student has achieved a given level of mastery. Recipients must pay for these certificates which, at the highest level, may cost several million yen. It is also the iemoto who authorises, selects and bestows ceremonial names for advanced practitioners.