In Every Cup, a Thousand Years of Japanese Tradition
For the Japanese, matcha is more than just a drink.
It is a living tradition, passed down for over a thousand years.
In quiet moments, it brings calm to the mind and sharpens a sense of beauty.
Matcha has long been a part of everyday life in Japan, nurturing both spirit and soul.
Matcha culture in Japan began in the Kamakura period, when Eisai, a Zen monk of the Rinzai school, brought tea seeds and the method of preparing powdered tea (tencha) back from China.
At the time, matcha was used by Zen monks to stay awake during meditation and to center the mind. It was treasured not only as a physical stimulant, but as a kind of “medicine for the spirit.”
In the Muromachi period, matcha culture spread to the samurai class. Shoguns such as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Yoshimasa were passionate about the tea ceremony, and official tea gardens were established in Uji, Kyoto under the shogunate’s patronage.
During this time, matcha became a symbol of refinement and cultural sophistication—evolving beyond a simple pleasure into a comprehensive art form that combined aesthetics and etiquette.
In the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Oda Nobunaga used the tea ceremony as a tool for politics and diplomacy, firmly establishing its role as part of a samurai’s cultural education.
Under Nobunaga’s patronage, Sen no Rikyū perfected the art of wabi-cha—a style that rejected lavishness in favor of simplicity and quietude.
Behind a single bowl of tea came to dwell the spirit of ichi-go ichi-e—a once-in-a-lifetime encounter—and a deep sense of respect and thoughtfulness toward others.
During the Edo period, the tea ceremony spread among both the samurai and townspeople, becoming more formalized and giving rise to various schools of practice.
Even as sencha became popular among the general public, matcha remained a symbol of refined hospitality and tradition.
Through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, the value of matcha and the tea ceremony remained unchanged.
After World War II, tea ceremony education flourished as an important part of women's cultural refinement. Matcha became cherished as a quiet, dignified moment in daily life—bringing a sense of grace and mindfulness to many.
