Myoe (1173–1232), the founder of Kosanji, was a pioneer of tea cultivation in Japan. He started a tea field near Kosanji using tea seeds that Zen master Eisai (1141–1215) had brought back to Japan from China. To this day, Kosanji maintains a tea plot a short distance from the Ikoan Teahouse.
Myoe
Born in 1173 in present-day Yuasa, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Myoe was a Buddhist monk known for rejuvenating the Huayan sect of Buddhism. After becoming a priest under Mongaku at Jingoji Temple, he studied Kegon Buddhism at Todaiji Temple and received the secret teachings from Konen at Kajuji Temple. He was awarded the land of Togano by Retired Emperor Gotoba in 1206 and built Kosanji Temple as the center of the Huayan sect. He died in 1232.
The Ikoan Teahouse was built in 1931 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Myoe’s death and his great contribution to the history of tea in Japan. Over 100 tea masters from around Japan made donations to help build Ikoan, a classic teahouse, as a gesture of respect to Myoe.
The teahouse is not open to the public.
