In 767, the introduction of tea culture from China to Japan began to take root, significantly influencing Japanese society and aesthetics. This cultural exchange occurred through Buddhist monks who brought tea seeds and knowledge of tea preparation from China. The practice of tea drinking would eventually evolve into a refined art form in Japan, impacting social customs and artistic expressions.

The arrival of tea culture inspired numerous Japanese poets, who began to incorporate themes of tea and nature into their works. The meditative aspects of tea drinking resonated with the aesthetics of Japanese poetry, particularly in the haiku form, which emphasizes simplicity and nature. Poets like Matsuo Bashō would later reflect on the tranquility of tea ceremonies in their writings, linking the practice to deeper philosophical themes.