And, as I understand it, many who began practicing sencha took it as an opportunity to emulate chinese Literati. And then senchado represented a sort of synthesis!
Thanks for sharing Baisao's poem! And for reading. I don't know as much about senchado and would like to learn more. Please do share more of your reflections.
You might consider the book ‘Tea of the sages’ by Patricia Graham. From what I can tell one of the only proper english history books about Sencha. Let me preface this by saying I am not nearly qualified to say anything about any of this. But I’ll try to say a few things, if you’ll indulge me.
The contrast to Chado is really interesting. There’s a sense in which the philosophies are different — of course, you have a set of prescribed movements in temae, proper sets of tools. My sense is that sencha developed somewhat in opposition to this. People would draw caligraphy or write poetry.
Baisao, again—such a great case! He would go around and make tea in all sorts of places. No room necessary, and as far as I know no prescribed movements or tools (though of course it required a brazier, teapot, etc — he had a basket he loved).
But then there are also little similarities…echoes, maybe. Baisao famously only accepted payment in his ‘bamboo oferatory tube.’ Which makes me think it certainly wasn’t much. There are some comparisons to be drawn between this and the guest-centered focus in temae.
But I think he also had some serious philosophical differences. When he got too old to make tea, he burnt his tea basket so that people would not sell or treasure it as they do with respect to Chawan or Natsume. I’m not sure, I think this is partially related to his Buddhism. He might’ve thought those things were distractions.
And then of course there is senchado. My impression is it came a bit later, and represented an imposition of the practices and movements onto the making of sencha. Though notably there are a TON of senchado schools.
Hopefully there’s something of interest there for you! I really do reccomend the book.
Wonderful recommendation and I'll look into it. Thank you so much! I also appreciate your amazing reflections and sharing - lots to unpack from there. Are you currently practicing tea?
I am very much trying to! I had to put a pause on lessons with school, and am about to move to an area with zero chado presence. But I practice on my own, and have been trying to follow along the Urasenke book. It is slow and I worry about my accuracy, but I think I am making small progress. And even that is intensely rewarding. I make sencha every day though! I love love *love* the taste!
Trying to answer the question… I find it fascinating that one leaf managed to cultivate this entire cosmos. Wherever tea is taken seriously, it expands into the delicacy of life and nature. Tea cultivates not only a precise relationship to the leaf, but asks us to place everything from pot to cup to room… with intention.
The different understandings of Chado and Chadao got me thinking, but still, tea is a powerful and yet so simple way for cultivation, without dogma.
Awesome! I, too, enjoy Taiwanese teas and their subtler, lighter, sweeter aromas. Was tasting Dong Fang Mei Ren and Gao Shan Cha earlier this week. Now your comment makes me dream of Four Seasons Spring. Wishing you more delightful tea moments~
Really interesting read, thank you. My favourite tea is Bai Mu Dan which I fear has spoiled me for many others. Although even within that type of tea there seems to be great variation.
It's quite boring really, I live in Australia and we have a chain of tea stores called Tea Centre. They have an organic version that is (to my taste) less flowery than other variants I have tasted since. It's extremely expensive but since I started drinking it, nothing else compares. I'm actually having my morning cup as I type this.
Nice! Indeed, that's really a gripe I have - that artisanal teas can be pricy but I guess for the amount of work, care, and processing put into making it.
Fantastic post, Peck Gee! I love both Chinese and Japanese tea. I did not know the difference between Chado and Chadao. I’m still digesting this post. 🙏🏽
Thanks, dear Yolanda! Glad you like both types of teas. I, too, am still digesting what I wrote about the post. :) It's a never-ending learning journey.
Thanks, Zoe. I think many of us, myself included, still hesitate when it comes to spirituality, as if it’s all a bit too “woo woo.” But when we slow down, listen, and stay open, there’s a kind of wisdom that comes through - something beyond what we can explain.
Sencha is SUCH an interesting case.
Baisao bragged that he got his tea from china:
I love the idle solitude
Of slow September days
Fragrance from a stoneware brazier
Rising in shade of a thousand pines.
No sweltering worldly heat
Could ever reach me here
No marvel in the sages realm
Can tempt me from it either.
My water is dipped from
The pure otawa springs
My tea is grown in China
(I have it sent from home)
Life's ultimate pleasure
Is to be free from care
Yet people point and snigger
'Crazy old tea-grubber.'
And, as I understand it, many who began practicing sencha took it as an opportunity to emulate chinese Literati. And then senchado represented a sort of synthesis!
Thanks for sharing Baisao's poem! And for reading. I don't know as much about senchado and would like to learn more. Please do share more of your reflections.
You might consider the book ‘Tea of the sages’ by Patricia Graham. From what I can tell one of the only proper english history books about Sencha. Let me preface this by saying I am not nearly qualified to say anything about any of this. But I’ll try to say a few things, if you’ll indulge me.
The contrast to Chado is really interesting. There’s a sense in which the philosophies are different — of course, you have a set of prescribed movements in temae, proper sets of tools. My sense is that sencha developed somewhat in opposition to this. People would draw caligraphy or write poetry.
Baisao, again—such a great case! He would go around and make tea in all sorts of places. No room necessary, and as far as I know no prescribed movements or tools (though of course it required a brazier, teapot, etc — he had a basket he loved).
But then there are also little similarities…echoes, maybe. Baisao famously only accepted payment in his ‘bamboo oferatory tube.’ Which makes me think it certainly wasn’t much. There are some comparisons to be drawn between this and the guest-centered focus in temae.
But I think he also had some serious philosophical differences. When he got too old to make tea, he burnt his tea basket so that people would not sell or treasure it as they do with respect to Chawan or Natsume. I’m not sure, I think this is partially related to his Buddhism. He might’ve thought those things were distractions.
And then of course there is senchado. My impression is it came a bit later, and represented an imposition of the practices and movements onto the making of sencha. Though notably there are a TON of senchado schools.
Hopefully there’s something of interest there for you! I really do reccomend the book.
Wonderful recommendation and I'll look into it. Thank you so much! I also appreciate your amazing reflections and sharing - lots to unpack from there. Are you currently practicing tea?
I am very much trying to! I had to put a pause on lessons with school, and am about to move to an area with zero chado presence. But I practice on my own, and have been trying to follow along the Urasenke book. It is slow and I worry about my accuracy, but I think I am making small progress. And even that is intensely rewarding. I make sencha every day though! I love love *love* the taste!
I love this! Thank you!
Trying to answer the question… I find it fascinating that one leaf managed to cultivate this entire cosmos. Wherever tea is taken seriously, it expands into the delicacy of life and nature. Tea cultivates not only a precise relationship to the leaf, but asks us to place everything from pot to cup to room… with intention.
The different understandings of Chado and Chadao got me thinking, but still, tea is a powerful and yet so simple way for cultivation, without dogma.
Beautiful reflections and thanks, Lucia. A single leaf, from pot to cup to the room -- finding its way to our hearts.
This is AMAZING. I prefer Taiwanese teas, dong ding roasted is my favorite. Most people have no idea what I'm talking about....
Awesome! I, too, enjoy Taiwanese teas and their subtler, lighter, sweeter aromas. Was tasting Dong Fang Mei Ren and Gao Shan Cha earlier this week. Now your comment makes me dream of Four Seasons Spring. Wishing you more delightful tea moments~
Oh wow, thank you so much for taking the time to go so in-depth on this topic! This is gold! :)
Really interesting read, thank you. My favourite tea is Bai Mu Dan which I fear has spoiled me for many others. Although even within that type of tea there seems to be great variation.
Great! Nice - how did you first encounter Bai Mu Dan? Or rather, how did it find you?
It's quite boring really, I live in Australia and we have a chain of tea stores called Tea Centre. They have an organic version that is (to my taste) less flowery than other variants I have tasted since. It's extremely expensive but since I started drinking it, nothing else compares. I'm actually having my morning cup as I type this.
Nice! Indeed, that's really a gripe I have - that artisanal teas can be pricy but I guess for the amount of work, care, and processing put into making it.
It's definitely worth it, it's my daily joy.
Fantastic post, Peck Gee! I love both Chinese and Japanese tea. I did not know the difference between Chado and Chadao. I’m still digesting this post. 🙏🏽
Thanks, dear Yolanda! Glad you like both types of teas. I, too, am still digesting what I wrote about the post. :) It's a never-ending learning journey.
🙏🏽❤️
Thanks for this fascinating primer on tea, Peck! 🙏🏻🌱
Baird, I'm glad you enjoyed the read and thanks for re-stacking. Happy week ahead!
Thanks, Zoe. I think many of us, myself included, still hesitate when it comes to spirituality, as if it’s all a bit too “woo woo.” But when we slow down, listen, and stay open, there’s a kind of wisdom that comes through - something beyond what we can explain.