While matcha is now considered an essential part of Japanese tea culture, the practice of whisking powdered tea actually originated much earlier in Song dynasty China. During the preceding Tang dynasty, tea was commonly compressed into bricks, which had to be boiled or decocted before drinking. To make tea preparation faster and more convenient, Chinese tea practitioners began steaming tea leaves, drying them, and grinding them into a fine powder. This powdered tea was then mixed directly with hot water and whisked into a frothy beverage—a technique that laid the foundation for modern matcha preparation.

Because tea was already closely associated with Buddhism, particularly Chan Buddhism, the preparation of powdered tea gradually became ritualized. Chan monks relied on tea to maintain alertness during long meditation sessions, fasting, and study. Over time, the preparation and consumption of whisked tea became codified as both a spiritual discipline and a contemplative practice within Buddhist monastic life.

Tea, Chan Buddhism, and the Origins of Matcha

The deep connection between tea and Chan Buddhism is often illustrated through the semi-mythical story of Bodhidharma, the patriarch traditionally credited with founding Chan Buddhism. According to legend, Bodhidharma meditated in a cave for years but once fell asleep during meditation. In a moment of resolve, he tore off his eyelids so he would never fall asleep again. Where the eyelids fell, the first green tea plants are said to have sprouted.

While clearly symbolic, this legend highlights the role of green tea as a tool for mindfulness, wakefulness, and spiritual discipline. Tea was believed to support both physical endurance and mental clarity—qualities essential to Buddhist practice. As Chan monks used tea to combat fatigue and deepen concentration, tea itself became inseparable from Buddhist ritual and daily life.

The Transmission of Matcha to Japan

The tradition of powdered tea drinking was brought to Japan in the late 12th century by the Zen monk Eisai, who studied Buddhism in China and returned with tea seeds, Zen teachings, and the method of preparing powdered green tea. In Japan, Chan Buddhism became known as Zen, and the preparation of whisked tea evolved alongside Zen philosophy.

Over time, tea rituals in Japan developed their own distinct identity. Rather than simply replicating Chinese practices, Japanese monks refined tea preparation into a deeply aesthetic and spiritual experience that emphasized simplicity, discipline, and presence.

Zen, Samurai Culture, and the Rise of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Zen Buddhism and tea culture became cultural cornerstones of Japan, largely due to their adoption by the ruling warrior class. Influential samurai, daimyo, and shoguns embraced Zen for its emphasis on discipline and clarity, and tea rituals naturally followed.

One of the most famous patrons of the tea arts was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who supported the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu. Under Rikyu’s influence, the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) became a refined spiritual practice centered on humility, harmony, respect, and tranquility.

Matcha and Zen Today

Today, matcha and green tea preparation remain integral to Zen temples and Japanese cultural life. The tools of matcha—tea bowls, bamboo whisks, and tea scoops—are not merely utensils but symbols of mindfulness and intentional living. What began as a practical solution for monks seeking alertness has become one of the world’s most revered tea traditions.

From Song dynasty monasteries to Japanese Zen temples, the story of matcha is one of spiritual practice, cultural exchange, and ritualized simplicity—a tradition that continues to inspire tea lovers around the world.