Eichu, Saicho and Kukai, famous priests of high rank, who had introduced Buddhism to Japan, brought tea trees to Japan in the 800s.
In 729, the emperor gave gifts of powdered form to a hundred monks attending a Buddhist scripture reading at the place. Many of these monks began cultivate tea upon returning to their temples.
Tea was immediately embraced by Japanese society and resulted in the creation of the intricate Japanese Tea Ceremony, elevating tea to an art form.
The tea was popularized by Zen Buddhist monks, who appreciated it caffeine kick during their long meditation sessions.
In 749, Japanese monk Gyoki plants the first tea bushes in 49 Buddhist temple gardens. Tea in Japan is rare and expensive, enjoyed mostly by high priests and the aristocracy.
The first tea garden planted in the Heian period, according to the order of emperor Saga.
The man who founded Zen Buddhism in Japan, Eisai Myoan travel to Japan in 1187 to study Chinese philosophy. He perfecting the growth and preparation of tea, and wrote small book in tea in 1211, which the title Tea Drinking is Good for Health.
Tea was introduced to Japan
