In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, gamers take on a historical and culturally rich adventure, and side mission Tea Bowls for Rikyu is the best demonstration of this richness. In the quest, players help Sen no Rikyu, a celebrated tea master, collect a series of beautiful tea bowls from experienced artisans, traders, and collectors all over Japan.
How to Start the Quest
To start this quest, the player first needs to finish Lightning and Thunder, a primary mission in the beginning of the game when playing as Naoe. After finishing this mission, Rikyu is available at his house in Kyoto, which is in the Yamashiro province.
Although he does not have a direct map marker, players can find him through a series of clues: Rikyu’s residence is located in northern Yamashiro. He lives in Kyoto. His house is located west of the Imperial Palace. With these clues, players can send scouts to identify their location. Rikyu can also be found by looking for a blue dot in the UI or by locating the house at the corner indicated in an in-game picture.
Talk to Sen No Rikyu
When entering his home, players must have a talk with Rikyu. Before doing so, it’s vital to perform a half bow; this is a polite gesture that should have been acquired by now during The Tea Ceremony’s main quest. After this, Rikyu will discuss his request and ask the players to retrieve a set of tea bowls from a number of merchants that are encountered throughout the game.
Find the Tea Bowls
The needed tea bowls can be purchased from ornament merchants found in various parts of Japan. The bowls, however, are not sold by all merchants and are mostly sold by certain traders who are found in high-level regions. Certain tea bowls can be bought directly from merchants, while others can be found naturally along the player’s progress.
As players make their way through the game, they will naturally visit these sites. It is worth mentioning that although most of the tea bowls can be obtained early, the last tea bowl is behind a late-game story mission. Below is a detailed explanation of where to find each tea bowl, so players can efficiently fulfill Rikyu’s task.
First Tea Bowl Location
The first tea bowl can be found in Sakai, a major trade hub within the Izumi Settsu region. To obtain it, players must visit the ornament vendor located by the Port of Sakai. This vendor sells various decorative items, including the tea bowl required for the quest. The tea bowl can be purchased for 125 Mon, a modest price for progressing in Rikyu’s request.
Second Tea Bowl Location
The second tea bowl is located in Kyoto, within the Yamashiro region. Players can find it at an ornament vendor situated south of Honnoki Temple and northeast of Toji Temple. This location is well-traveled, making it easy to spot the merchant. Similar to the first tea bowl, this one also costs 125 Mon. Players should ensure they have enough currency before making the purchase.
Third Tea Bowl Location
The third tea bowl is found in the Azuchi area of the Omi region. It is sold by an ornament vendor positioned on an island surrounded by water, connected to the mainland by several bridges. This scenic location may require players to navigate carefully across the bridges to reach the vendor. Once there, they can buy the bowl for a small amount of Mon.
Fourth Tea Bowl Location
The fourth tea bowl is also located within the Omi region, but this time in the town of Sakamoto. This town is positioned towards the western part of the region, near the water. The vendor selling the tea bowl can be found in the marketplace. Like the previous ones, the tea bowl is priced at 125 Mon, making it an affordable purchase for players at this stage of the game.
Fifth Tea Bowl Location
The fifth tea bowl is situated in the Wakasa region, specifically in the central town of Obama. Players must visit the Kara Market, where a vendor among the other stalls sells the required tea bowl. The bustling market setting makes this an interesting stop during the quest. The tea bowl is again priced at 125 Mon, keeping the cost consistent with the others.
Sixth Tea Bowl Location
The sixth tea bowl is located in the Tamba region, in the town of Kameyama. This merchant can be found along the main path, making them easy to locate. While this tea bowl follows the same pattern as the others in terms of acquisition, reaching Kameyama may require additional travel, so players should plan their route accordingly.
Seventh Tea Bowl Location
The seventh and final tea bowl is unique in that it is not purchased but instead earned as a reward. It is automatically given to players upon completing the Darkness Falls main quest and defeating “The Wise,” an Onryo/Shinbakufu member. Since this tea bowl is tied to a late-game mission, players will need to progress through the story before obtaining it.
Once all seven tea bowls have been collected, players must return them to Rikyu to complete the quest. Delivering the bowls concludes the mission, and Rikyu will reward the player accordingly. When you receive the tea bowls, Rikyu will thank you and teach you a lesson about the philosophy of the Way of Tea. Your work saving this tradition will not be in vain, you will receive 1,000 XP, rewarding your successful contribution to this honored art form.
