Tea Culture
History and Formality
The Japanese tea culture and the ceremony go together. Let's take a look at one aspect of this ceremony.
The history starts during the years of 618 to 907 when tea seeds were first brought to Japan from China.
Formality of The Ceremony
The first mention of the formality of a ceremony for drinking tea was found during the 8th century.
Then a book named "Cha Ching" was written by a Buddhist priest in China explaining how to properly make tea.
This was probably the beginning of the tea ceremony we think of today even though there were some differences.
- From the years 710 to 794 tea plants in Japan were grown and used by noblemen and priest mainly for medicinal purposes.
- Tea was so rare in Japan until 1192 and the ceremonies were formed around this fact. Had it been commonplace the ceremonies may not have become as important.
Kamakura Period
During this period the Japanese priest, Moyan Eisai founded Zen Buddhism. He is also credited as the first to bring tea into the religious ceremonies.
- This priest also introduced the practice of grinding the tea leaves to add them to the hot water.
- The bamboo whisk was also introduced at this time to mix it.
These two things greatly influenced the ceremony that we know today.
Moyan Eisai wrote the first book in Japan on this drink. This book was about how tea was good for the health felt it was a cure forany aliment. It spoke of everything from treating paralysis to boils.
This is probably the true reason the ceremony of drinking tea became so important in Japan.
The Samurai
Tea popularity grew so much in Japan that plantations were called for. The class of Samurai embraced the tea ceremony fully and its popularity grew even more.
Muromachi Period
During this period the architecture in Japan went through a transformation. This was then passed on to the tea ceremony. The palace style that was so formal was simplified some by the class of the Samurai.
Then the Shoin style came into being which was more based on temple architecture.
The tea ceremony was changed a bit by these details which included an alcove, a set of shelves, and a side desk. Also Taami mats were laid on the floor for this Shoin style.
Tearooms
Later on the other classes of people became interested in the Japanese tea ceremony history. They started performing the ceremony in small rooms befitting their class.
At this time a Kakoi, which is just a small room, was developed.
Murata Shukou, who was a Zen priest, was one of the better designers of these tearooms. He added the mind and spirit into the ceremony.
This is just a brief explanation of the Japanese tea ceremony history and culture. It has changed and evolved over thousands of years to be what it is today. It is still actively practiced today by all ages.
Once only a ceremony the wealthy participated in this tea culture. Now everyone can enjoy it.
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