The story claims that the varieties of tea were obtained by Rinzai Sect founder Eisai in Southern Song period China in the early Kamakura period and granted to Myoe following his return to Japan.
鎌倉時代初期に臨済宗の開祖栄西が、当時の中国の南宋において種を得て、帰国後に明恵に贈ったものと伝える。