A revival of interest took place in the late 12th century when the monk Eisai brought tea seeds from China, and in 1211 published the Kissa Yojoki (An Account of Drinking Tea and Preserving Life), which extolled tea’s health benefits. The tea Eisai introduced was the new type of tea that was by then fashionable in China—the loose dried green leaves were ground to a very fine powder, whisked into hot water with a bamboo brush, and drunk from imported Chinese “hare’s fur” tea bowls, with their patterns resembling animal fur streaked through the dark brown-black glaze. The love of all things Chinese continued, and the Buddhist priests and members of the ruling classes who practiced the Chinese-style tea ritual also acquired collections of Chinese tea utensils with which to prepare and serve the tea. Their devotion to tea was very formal and serious and completely founded on Chinese ideas. But as the Samurai warrior class gained political power towards the end of the 12th century and established a military government (which controlled Japan until the second half of the 19th century), they began to drink tea less for its rituals and Chinese philosophy and more because they simply liked the taste.
Really enjoyed learning of the history of the Tea Wares of Japan. Just added your blog to my own watchlist… eager to see what’s to come! Love the photography of such a beautiful collection!
Really enjoyed learning of the history of the Tea Wares of Japan. Just added your blog to my own watchlist… eager to see what’s to come! Love the photography of such a beautiful collection!
Really great writer i enjoyed reading this article very much..