The Little Tea Book | Page 2

and the booming gong; I hear the sound of feast and revelry, And
smell, far sweeter than the sweetest flowers, The kiosks of Pekin, fragrant of Oolong!

LITTLE CUPS OF CHINESE AND JAPANESE TEA
Although the legend credits the pious East Indian with the discovery of tea, there is no
evidence extant that India is really the birthplace of the plant.
Since India has no record of date, or facts, on stone or tablet, or ever handed down a
single incident of song or story--apart from the legend--as to the origin of tea, one is loath
to accept the claim--if claim they assert--of a people who are not above practising the
"black art" at every turn of their fancy.
Certain it is that China, first in many things, knew tea as soon as any nation of the world.
The early Chinese were not only more progressive than other peoples, but linked with
their progress were important researches, and invaluable discoveries, which the civilized
world has long ago recognized. Then, why not add tea to the list?
At any rate, it is easy to believe that the Chinese were first in the tea fields, and that
undoubtedly the plant was a native of both China and Japan when it was slumbering on

the slopes of India, unpicked, unsteeped, undrunk, unhonored, and unsung.
A celebrated Buddhist, St. Dengyo Daishai, is credited with having introduced tea into
Japan from China as early as the fourth century. It is likely that he was the first to teach
the Japanese the use of the herb, for it had long been a favorite beverage in the mountains
of the Celestial Kingdom. The plant, however, is found in so many parts of Japan that
there can be little doubt but what it is indigenous there as well.
The word TEA is of Chinese origin, being derived from the Amoy and Swatow reading,
"Tay," of the same character, which expresses both the ancient name of tea, "T'su," and
the more modern one, "Cha." Japanese tea, "Chiya"--pronounced Châ.
Tea was not known in China before the Tang dynasty, 618-906 A.D. An infusion of some
kind of leaf, however, was used as early as the Chow dynasty, 1122-255 B.C., as we learn
from the Urh-ya, a glossary of terms used in ancient history and poetry. This work, which
is classified by subjects, has been assigned as the beginning of the Chow dynasty, but
belongs more properly to the era of Confucius, K'ung Kai, 551-479 B.C.
Although known in Japan for more than a thousand years, tea only gradually became the
national beverage as late as the fourteenth century.
In the first half of the eighth century, 729 A.D., there was a record made of a religious
festival, at which the forty-fifth Mikado---"Sublime Gate"--Shommei Tenno, entertained
the Buddhist priests with tea, a hitherto unknown beverage from Corea, which country
was for many years the high-road of Chinese culture to Japan.
After the ninth century, 823 A.D., and for four centuries thereafter, tea fell into disuse,
and almost oblivion, among the Japanese. The nobility, and Buddhist priests, however,
continued to drink it as a luxury.
During the reign of the eighty-third Emperor, 1199-1210 A.D., the cultivation of tea was
permanently established in Japan. In 1200, the bonze, Yei-Sei, brought tea seeds from
China, which he planted on the mountains in one of the most northern provinces. Yei-Sei
is also credited with introducing the Chinese custom of ceremonious tea-drinking. At any
rate, he presented tea seeds to Mei-ki, the abbot of the monastery of To-gano (to whom
the use of tea had been recommended for its stimulating properties), and instructed him in
the mystery of its cultivation, treatment, and preparation. Mei-ki, who laid out plantations
near Uzi, was successful as a pupil, and even now the tea-growers of that neighborhood
pay tribute to his memory by annually offering at his shrine the first gathered tea-leaves.
After that period, the use of tea became more and more in fashion, the monks and their
kindred having discovered its property of keeping them awake during long vigils and
nocturnal prayers.
Prom this time on the development and progress of the plant are interwoven with the
histories and customs of these countries.

ON TEA
The following short poem by Edmund Waller is believed to be the first one written in
praise of the "cup that does not inebriate":
Venus her myrtle, Phoebus has her bays; Tea both excels, which she vouchsafes to praise.
The best of Queens, and best of herbs, we owe To that bold nation, which the way did
show To the fair region where the sun doth rise, Whose rich productions we so justly
prize. The Muse's friend, tea does our fancy aid, Repress those vapors which the head
invade, And keep the palace of