Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 2.djvu/278

 in different provinces, and the leaf produced at each was supposed to vary in quality, incomparably the best being that grown at Tagano-o, where the seed brought by Eisai from China had been sowed. Upon these differences the social function was based, the conception having been borrowed from an older form of refined amusement, namely, discriminating between the perfumes of various incenses. The "teacup test" was that most commonly applied. Three varieties of tea having been divided into four parts each, one cup made from each group was tasted with the object of furnishing three standards. Then to the nine remaining parts a tenth was added, this last receiving the name of "guest," inasmuch as, though tasted with the rest, it had to be spared the rudeness of classification. It will be observed that there were now ten parts. Cups brewed from them were next handed to the convives, who displayed the delicacy of their palates by determining with which of the three standards each cup should be classed. In the eyes of a Japanese samurai the triviality of this pastime was relieved by two facts: first, that it came from China, whence all ethical pleasures were derived; secondly, that it had the sanction of the Zen sect of Buddhists, whose tenets were regarded as the essence of a warrior's creed. The first evidence of slavish obedience to precedent, which is certainly one of the tendencies educated by the cult, was furnished in