The Tea Ceremony Ancient Japanese monks in the 13th century were among the first to adopt the new drink from China. They found that tea helped to fight off drowsiness and keep the mind attentive during long hours of study. However, a Zen Buddhist known as Sen Rikyu (1522-1591) is largely responsible for turning the consumption of a beverage from an ordinary activity into something extraordinary. Seeking to convert life itself into a work of art, Sen Rikyu taught the tea ceremony as a means of achieving the four principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. High above Shinjuku, a smal...

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