Maccha, brought by Eisai, who spread the Zen sect of Buddhism, and Dogen, who brought it as a medicine, spread along with Zen during the Kamakura period and increased the concept of spiritual training.
鎌倉時代に、日本に禅宗を伝えた栄西や道元によって薬として持ち込まれた抹茶が、禅宗の広まりと共に精神修養的な要素を強めて広がっていった。