Soen was not the first person to introduce a change 'from kamairicha to steaming method' and 'method to dry tea leaves by crumpling' as is said according to the lore on Soen's achievements.
宗円の功績の伝承で語られる「釜炒りから蒸し製へ」「茶葉を揉み乾かす工程」を宗円がはじめて導入したわけではない。