In the late 12th century, Zen Buddhist monk Eisai sowed the seeds of (literally) powdered green tea, which we now call Matcha, in Japan after he traveled in China.
Myōan Eisai or Yōsai was a Japanese Buddhist priest, credited with founding the Rinzai school, the Japanese line of the Linji school of Zen Buddhism. In 1191, he introduced this Zen approach to Japan.
The Birth of Japan’s Tea Tradition
Eisai is also credited with the beginning of the tea tradition in Japan, by bringing green tea seeds from China back from his second trip to China in 1191, and writing the book Kissa Yōjōki (Drinking Tea for Health).
He recognised its dual value: as a spiritual aid for long hours of meditation and as a natural remedy that promoted health and alertness.
Kissa Yōjōki: Tea for Health and Longevity
Eisai documented these benefits in his influential book, where he praised tea as a source of vitality and longevity. His promotion of matcha went beyond simple refreshment; it became an integral part of Zen practice, emphasising mindfulness and discipline.
Matcha was also used as a stimulant by Zen Buddhist monks to stay awake and focused during long hours of meditation sessions.
In the 16th century, the Zen monk Sen no Rikyū laid the foundations for the Japanese tea ceremony, the ‘Cha-No-Yu,’ of which Matcha tea forms an integral part.
Over time, Eisai’s introduction of matcha laid the foundation for Japan’s tea culture, culminating in the highly ritualised Japanese tea ceremony, which continues to symbolise harmony, respect, and tranquillity to this day.
"This article has been curated by Hook. All claims and opinions expressed belong to the original author. Hook does not verify or endorse the information presented and is not responsible for its accuracy."
