Tea Culture in China and Japan was an important ritual for social interaction, with many rules and observances to follow. The philosophy and practice was different for each country, but the basis was the same, to meet for the enjoyment of Tea with friends or guests.

Tea was first discovered and used as a herbal remedy in China, going back centuries to the early Han period (206 BCE – 220 CE).  It was then developed as a herbal drink for special occasions and enjoyment in the Tang dynasty (618-907) and used by the emperor’s court and high officials. Delicate porcelain cups were used with a variety of added flavours, including ginger, ginseng, orange peel and onions.

Tea houses began to emerge in the wider society, providing meeting places for discussion on the arts and politics of the day, much like English Coffee houses and French Café culture. Buddhist monks developed green tealeaf shoots which were ground and found to be a stimulant in long hours of meditation.

In Japan the Tea Ceremony developed differently, becoming a tranquil exchange between host and guest in a private Tearoom, as opposed to a public Teahouse in China. The Tea Garden was the journey towards the Tea House, in preparation for the shared ritual to come.

Private estates often had their own Tea Houses, in separate areas to the main garden. Modern Tea Houses can be found almost anywhere, and have become a symbol for refined and experimental architecture among contemporary artists and designers.