The decline of black tea after the death of Saga

The decline of black tea after the death of Saga

During Saga’s rein black tea and Matcha was popular. Drinking tea flourished during his rule, and for the Japanese tea had an entertainment value also. This entertainment translated into gatherings, and small tea drinking ceremonies.

With the death of Saga, black tea lost its popularity. Without the Emperor being around, the population showed their true liking for the ceremony: They did the ceremony to be popular with the Emperor’s court. The ceremony of tea drinking did not become as important as it will later on in Japanese history; though during this time, tea drinking accompanied written poetry in Taoist thought and aesthetics.

As time went on, the Taoist elements became very rare and when Saga died the tea was only kept alive in temples and shrines. It did not form into an aesthetic taste yet. (Tea in Japan, 7)