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What is the history of the tea ceremony in Japan?
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The tea ceremony in Japan, often referred to as “chanoyu”, has a long and illustrious history, dating back to the 12th century. Chado, the “Way of Tea”, combines the simple elegance of the tea ceremony with a spiritual appreciation of nature. It is thought that the tea ceremony originated in China during the 9th century, and was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks. During the 12th century, a Japanese Buddhist monk named Eisai brought more detailed knowledge of the ceremony from China to Japan, and the teachings of the tea ceremony eventually spread throughout the country. In the days of the warrior class, the samurai held tea ceremonies to practice refinement and to show their appreciation of beauty and nature. During this time, the tea ceremony developed its own rules, such as the idea of “ichi-go”, or “one heart”, which emphasizes being in the same mind-space and fully focusing on the ceremony. Today, the tea ceremony is still practiced and remains a fundamental element of Japanese culture.