A recent New York Times article reveals the story of an 80 year old man who has devoted his life to tea. Hisashi Yamada is a teacher of tea at a school specifically designed for that purpose in New York City. Hisashi’s passion for tea blossomed while employed by a wealthy aristocrat in Japan. In the 1960s, he had the opportunity to come to America and found here the perfect place to spread his knowledge of the tea.

His teachings mainly stress the importance of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. While on the surface it may seem like simple relaxation while drinking tea, it is actually much more involved than that. In order to master the tea ceremony, one must have knowledge of “the production and types of tea, kimono, calligraphy, flower arranging, ceramics, and incense” that will be used during that ceremony.

The ceremony is structured so that it becomes a very Zen-like experience, often performed in complete silence or, when talking is permitted, only allowing dialog pertinent to the ceremony. The main goal is to rid you of the complexities of life by drawing attention to the more subtle and mellow surroundings, through emphasizing the importance of the aesthetics of the space in which the ceremony is taking place as much as the tea itself.

This ceremony has become so popular, Hollywood’s finest like Reese Witherspoon have participated as well. Hisashi’s now-popular school, the Urasenke Chanoyu Center, has a waiting list for incoming students.

Have you ever wanted to see the big picture when it comes to tea history? We’ve located an online tea history that can help.

The Tea Page features a timeline which extends from 2000 BC, when tea was grown in India, to 1953 AD when the play Tea and Sympathy (starring Deborah Kerr) was performed at New York’s Ethel Barrymore Theater. 

Points of interest along the timeline also include the year 222 when tea was “mentioned as a substitute for wine for the first time in Chinese writings.” And, how in 805, tea was “introduced to Japan as a medicine.” Not to forget our British friends, there’s even a spot in the history for 1597 when the first English mention of tea appears.

For more detailed accounts in tea’s history, view these Bigelow posts: The Japanese Tea Ceremony, How Tea Got to England (Parts I and II), How Russia was Introduced to Tea (Parts II and III), and the History of Iced Tea in America.

Tea has long been associated with the arts. Performance art, architecture and pottery all play a part in the history of the beverage. Today, that history comes alive as museums around the country offer opportunities for us to experience this art for ourselves.

As far back as the 15th century, tea ceremonies began to take on cultural significance in Japan. Commonly called the “way of tea,” the ceremonies are characterized by simplicity, naturalism, asymmetrical design and uncluttered architectural space. Continuing through November 2008, you can learn about all the elements of the tea ceremony, including tearoom design, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.  Can’t get away? Then listen to the tearoom podcast for a short audio tour.

The art of tea also includes sculptural form, such as porcelain, stoneware and earthenware. Through a traveling art exhibit “Teapots: Object to Subject,” the public can catch glimpses into the richness of this medium in events scheduled through 2010. Visit Exhibits USA for the tour schedule, or click the exhibition image for quick preview slideshow!