The Tea Ceremony

Even before the tea plant was imported to Japan, the habit of tea drinking was reported by monks and ambassadors who visited China. They also noted its association with Zen temples. In Japan, by the time of the Nanbokucho Period, tea had become a common passtime, used for relaxation, on many social levels. In the Muromachi, Ôrinkan-chaÕ was popular, also as a social diversion. During the flowering of Higashiyama culture, tea became associated with the salon arts of the shoin (study room), along with poetry and flower arranging. Tea became formalised, and elaborate stands were made for utensils, and rules about how to serve and drink were set. Noami, a cultural advisor to the shogun, recommended use of fine imported pieces as tea vessels, but there was as yet no independent teahut. The independent teahut came into existence with Murata Juko who stipulated 4.5 mat space.