Matcha in Japan has a rich history spanning over a thousand years. More than just a beverage, it has served as a symbol of politics, religion, culture, and aesthetic consciousness—deeply rooted in the core of Japanese history. By tracing how generations of shoguns and feudal lords engaged with matcha, we uncover the very essence of Japanese culture.

Kamakura Period: Matcha and Zen – A Part of Monastic Practice

The origins of matcha were introduced to Japan in the late 12th century by Eisai, a monk of the Rinzai Zen sect, who brought tea seeds and preparation methods from China. At the time, tea was regarded primarily as medicine, and monks drank matcha as part of their spiritual training, to aid concentration and maintain health. This practice gradually influenced the warrior class as well.

Muromachi Period: Shoguns and the Rise of “Tōcha” and Higashiyama Culture

During the 14th to 15th centuries, the Muromachi shoguns—such as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Yoshimasa—placed matcha culture at the heart of politics and art. A popular trend of the time was “tōcha,” a game in which participants guessed the origin of different teas. These luxurious and competitive gatherings eventually gave rise to “wabi-cha,” a style of tea ceremony embracing the aesthetic of simplicity and imperfection, emblematic of the Higashiyama culture.

Azuchi-Momoyama Period: Rikyu and Hideyoshi – Tea as a Symbol of Power

In the 16th century, tea culture reached new heights with the appearance of Sen no Rikyū, who elevated the tea ceremony into a refined spiritual and artistic discipline. Toyotomi Hideyoshi exploited the full political potential of tea, building a golden tea room and employing Rikyū as a close advisor. He used tea gatherings as tools to measure loyalty and govern diplomacy. Large-scale tea events like the Grand Kitano Tea Gathering even opened the practice to common people.

Edo Period: The Way of Tea as the Mark of Samurai Refinement

During the Edo period, tea ceremony spread among the daimyo (feudal lords) and samurai as a symbol of education and status. Formalized styles such as “buke-demae” (samurai tea ceremony) emerged, and tea culture was incorporated into the official curriculum as part of a balanced education in both literary and martial arts. Government-appointed tea gardens were established across regions, giving rise to famous production areas such as Uji.

From Meiji to Modern Day: Rekindling a Diminishing Flame

The abolition of the samurai class during the Meiji Restoration led to a temporary decline in tea ceremony. However, in the modern era, tea culture regained prominence as an element of cultural education and refinement, particularly among women. After World War II, it was reintroduced into school curricula and cultural activities, gradually spreading among the general public and younger generations.

Contemporary Matcha Culture: Japanese Wisdom and Aesthetics on the Global Stage

Today, tea ceremony remains a respected way of learning mindfulness, etiquette, and aesthetic sensitivity in Japan. Schools like Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushanokōji-senke continue to preserve and promote this cultural heritage through international engagement.

Meanwhile, matcha itself has become a global phenomenon under the name “MATCHA”, popular as a health drink and dessert ingredient. Behind this popularity lies the ancient Japanese wisdom and the “spirit of hospitality in a single bowl.”

Conclusion: A Bowl that Holds History and the Soul

Matcha is more than just a drink—it embodies the politics of shoguns, the refinement of samurai, the joy of commoners, and the spiritual heart of Japanese culture. Modern tea ceremonies and the global matcha boom are a continuation of this “living history.”

When we quietly drink a bowl of matcha, we may be unconsciously connecting with the flow of a thousand years of time and tradition.