Author: Andy Gilchrist (http://www.AskAndyAboutClothes.com)
Original Source: The History of Tea
Buddhist monks introduced the ritual drinking of tea into Japan from China in the sixth century.
It wasn't until 1191 that tea really took hold in Japan with the return from China of the Zen priest Eisai (1141-1215). Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in Japan, introduced powdered tea and tea seeds that he brought back with him from China. The tea seeds were planted by his friend the priest Myoe (1173-1232) at the Kozanji temple in the hills northwest of Kyoto.
As a result, he is known as the "Father of Tea" in Japan.
Tea was elevated to an art form with the creation of the Japanese ritual tea ceremony ("Cha-no-yu"), a ritual for the preparation, serving, and drinking of tea. The ceremony became institutionalized during the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333 AD) when tea was taken by Zen Buddhist monks to keep them awake during meditations.
The word Chanoyu, or Cha-no-yu, means hot water for tea --cha, tea (from Middle Chinese) + no, possessive particle + yu, hot water.
Chanoyu is an expression of Zen Buddhism, and its formalities are derived from the simple and practical manners of the Buddhist monks' daily activities in monasteries
Each art form in Japan is represented by a "way" that is a tradition and a way of life pertaining to the respective art form. Popular "ways" in Japan include the way of flowers, the way of incense, the way of calligraphy, the way of poetry, the way of the sword, the way of self-defense, and Chado, the way of tea. Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, is the vehicle through which Chado is manifested.
Several prominent tea masters contributed to the development of Chanoyu.
The tea master Sen Rikyu (1522-1591) developed WABICHA or the style of tea that reflects a simple and quiet taste. From Zen traditions Rikyu established the four guiding principles of Chanoyu: wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility).
A special form of architecture (chaseki) developed for "tea houses", based on the duplication of the simplicity of a forest cottage. A separate tea room (“cha-shitsu”) in Japanese homes is constructed so that one enters on your knees to show humility. The cultural/artistic hostesses of Japan, the Geisha, began to specialize in the presentation of the tea ceremony.
Original Source: The History of Tea
Buddhist monks introduced the ritual drinking of tea into Japan from China in the sixth century.
It wasn't until 1191 that tea really took hold in Japan with the return from China of the Zen priest Eisai (1141-1215). Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in Japan, introduced powdered tea and tea seeds that he brought back with him from China. The tea seeds were planted by his friend the priest Myoe (1173-1232) at the Kozanji temple in the hills northwest of Kyoto.
As a result, he is known as the "Father of Tea" in Japan.
Tea was elevated to an art form with the creation of the Japanese ritual tea ceremony ("Cha-no-yu"), a ritual for the preparation, serving, and drinking of tea. The ceremony became institutionalized during the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333 AD) when tea was taken by Zen Buddhist monks to keep them awake during meditations.
The word Chanoyu, or Cha-no-yu, means hot water for tea --cha, tea (from Middle Chinese) + no, possessive particle + yu, hot water.
Chanoyu is an expression of Zen Buddhism, and its formalities are derived from the simple and practical manners of the Buddhist monks' daily activities in monasteries
Each art form in Japan is represented by a "way" that is a tradition and a way of life pertaining to the respective art form. Popular "ways" in Japan include the way of flowers, the way of incense, the way of calligraphy, the way of poetry, the way of the sword, the way of self-defense, and Chado, the way of tea. Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, is the vehicle through which Chado is manifested.
Several prominent tea masters contributed to the development of Chanoyu.
The tea master Sen Rikyu (1522-1591) developed WABICHA or the style of tea that reflects a simple and quiet taste. From Zen traditions Rikyu established the four guiding principles of Chanoyu: wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility).
A special form of architecture (chaseki) developed for "tea houses", based on the duplication of the simplicity of a forest cottage. A separate tea room (“cha-shitsu”) in Japanese homes is constructed so that one enters on your knees to show humility. The cultural/artistic hostesses of Japan, the Geisha, began to specialize in the presentation of the tea ceremony.
No comments:
Post a Comment