16 OPINIONS WHETHER THE TEA TREE 



the ninth century (which seems more probable) 

 according to Von Siebold.* Both opinions are 

 grounded on Japanese authorities. The latter 

 author makes use of a very ingenious argument, 

 based on the physical condition of the plant as 

 exhibited at Japan, in further testimony of the 

 truth of those historical accounts which affirm the 

 tea plant to be of foreign introduction. 



This intelligent author observes, that " the tea 

 plant is found in the southern provinces of Japan, 

 between the 30° and 35° of north latitude, growing 

 abundantly along field-paths, way-sides, and ridges, 

 as if of spontaneous growth, and also planted in 

 fields in unproductive ground : but on further 

 advance towards the mountains it disappears." 

 Hence, he assumes, perhaps judiciously, though 

 not conclusively (the circumstances of climate 

 being nearly the same), that the tea plant is an 

 imported production at Japan. But the learned 

 author seems to have confided too much in the 



chronicles speak of a person of that name, describing him as a 

 native of India, who visited China during the reign of Vu Ty, 

 of the Leang dynasty, a.d. 543. He was in all probability a 

 Fakir, and crossed over to Japan. During my residence at 

 Canton, a devotee of this description visited that city, and came 

 by sea. 



* Mco-we, a Bonze, travelled into China, and brought back 

 tea seeds from China. They were planted on the hill of To- 

 ga-no-wo, in Jamasiro, about two leagues north-west of Mijako ; 

 also at Udsi, a district of that province. (Japanese Encyclo- 

 paedia. Hak-buts-sin.) Another work states, " it was intro- 

 duced a.d. 810." (Von Siebold's Nippon, part 6.) 



