As for introduction of macha-ho method to Japan, it is popularly accepted that Eisai Zenji (the great Zen teacher Eisai), the originator of Rinzai-shu denomination (Rinzai-shu sect), brought back with him from China in 1191 several kinds of tea along with the manners on how to drink them, which subsequently spread in Japan (for details, please refer to the section on Sado, History of Sado)
その伝来としては、臨済宗の開祖となる栄西禅が1191年中国から帰国の折に茶種と作法を持ち帰り、その飲み方などが日本に広まったという説が有名である（詳しくは茶道茶道の歴史の項を参照のこと）。