History
The Japanese Tea Ceremony, or "Chanoyu", is a Ceremony with a long history dating back to the fourth century. China brought over tea plants to Japan first in the fourth century, but not much was documented about tea in Japan until the eighth century.
By the eighth century, priests/monks and wealthy nobles were using tea as a medicine. It was not used by peasants because tea leaves were quite rare and therefore expensive. The first written proof of a tea ceremony is from the ninth century. A monk named Eichu had come back to Japan from China where tea drinking was well known and common. Eichu served tea to the Emperor of Japan at that time, Emperor Saga. However, tea was still not very popular in Japan until the Kamakura Era (1185-1333).
A monk named Myoan Eisai came back to Japan from China and was the first person to use tea for religious, not medicinal purposes. He thought that tea could cure all diseases and illnesses. This led to tea becoming very popular. Also, the leaders and nobles of the Kamakura Period, the Kamakura Shogunate, liked tea and tea became a symbol of social class. They held tea parties, where people tried to guess which was the real (good quality) tea, and which was the "bad" tea.
Another monk named Shûko helped evolve the tea ceremony in the 15th century. He is known as the "father of the tea ceremony" because he made many changes to the etiquette and was one of the best small teahouse designers.
Until the 16th century, the tea ceremony was mainly performed by just wealthy samurai, noblemen, and monks. That was all changed by a man by the name of Sen No Rikyu. Probably the most well known historical figure who changed the tea ceremony, Rikyu thought that the tea ceremony should be a spiritual experience. He thought that each tea ceremony should be unique and special in its own way. Rikyu used simple utensils instead of elaborately decorated ones. He also used "grass hut" style teahouses that were very simple in design. This enabled commoners to perform the tea ceremony as well. The tea ceremony became even more popular.
By the end of the 16th century, the tea ceremony was at its climax. People all over Japan were performing the ceremony, and tea leaves were high in demand. There were even different types of tea ceremony teachers. The first type of teacher, Chanoyusha, was a professional tea ceremony teacher. A Wabi-Suki was a teacher who had three specific traits: belief in the tea ceremony, knowing the proper etiquette, and proficiency when working with tea. Finally, the "highest level" was a Meijin. A Meijin had all three traits that a Wabi-Suki did, but also collected valuable Chinese tea utensils.
By the eighth century, priests/monks and wealthy nobles were using tea as a medicine. It was not used by peasants because tea leaves were quite rare and therefore expensive. The first written proof of a tea ceremony is from the ninth century. A monk named Eichu had come back to Japan from China where tea drinking was well known and common. Eichu served tea to the Emperor of Japan at that time, Emperor Saga. However, tea was still not very popular in Japan until the Kamakura Era (1185-1333).
A monk named Myoan Eisai came back to Japan from China and was the first person to use tea for religious, not medicinal purposes. He thought that tea could cure all diseases and illnesses. This led to tea becoming very popular. Also, the leaders and nobles of the Kamakura Period, the Kamakura Shogunate, liked tea and tea became a symbol of social class. They held tea parties, where people tried to guess which was the real (good quality) tea, and which was the "bad" tea.
Another monk named Shûko helped evolve the tea ceremony in the 15th century. He is known as the "father of the tea ceremony" because he made many changes to the etiquette and was one of the best small teahouse designers.
Until the 16th century, the tea ceremony was mainly performed by just wealthy samurai, noblemen, and monks. That was all changed by a man by the name of Sen No Rikyu. Probably the most well known historical figure who changed the tea ceremony, Rikyu thought that the tea ceremony should be a spiritual experience. He thought that each tea ceremony should be unique and special in its own way. Rikyu used simple utensils instead of elaborately decorated ones. He also used "grass hut" style teahouses that were very simple in design. This enabled commoners to perform the tea ceremony as well. The tea ceremony became even more popular.
By the end of the 16th century, the tea ceremony was at its climax. People all over Japan were performing the ceremony, and tea leaves were high in demand. There were even different types of tea ceremony teachers. The first type of teacher, Chanoyusha, was a professional tea ceremony teacher. A Wabi-Suki was a teacher who had three specific traits: belief in the tea ceremony, knowing the proper etiquette, and proficiency when working with tea. Finally, the "highest level" was a Meijin. A Meijin had all three traits that a Wabi-Suki did, but also collected valuable Chinese tea utensils.