THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



any nation of the world. The early 

 Chinese were not only more progres- 

 sive than other peoples, but linked 

 with their progress were important 

 researches, and invaluable discover- 

 ies, which the civilized world has 

 long ago recognized. Then, why not 

 add tea to the list? 



At any rate, it is easy to believe 

 that the Chinese were first in the tea 

 fields, and that undoubtedly the plant 

 was a native of both China and Japan 

 when it was slumbering on the slopes 

 of India, unpicked, unsteeped, un- 

 drunk, unhonored, and unsung. 



A celebrated Buddhist, St. Dengyo 

 Daishai, is credited with having in- 

 troduced tea into Japan from China 

 as early as the fourth century. It is 

 likely that he was the first to teach 

 the Japanese the use of the herb, for 



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