All of these tea ceremonies and rituals contain "an adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday life", as well as refinement, an inner spiritual content, humility, restraint and simplicity "as all arts that partake the extraordinary, an artistic artificiality, abstractness, symbolism and formalism" to one degree or another.

Its original meaning indicated quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste "characterized by humility, restraint, simplicity, naturalism, profundity, imperfection, and asymmetry" and "emphasizes simple, unadorned objects and architectural space, and celebrates the mellow beauty that time and care to impart to materials.

The Japanese tea ceremony developed as a "transformative practice", and began to evolve its own aesthetic, in particular, that of "sabis" and "wabis" principles.

Understanding emptiness was considered the most effective means to spiritual awakening while embracing imperfection was honored as a healthy reminder to cherish our unpolished selves, here and now, just as we are – the first step to "Satori" or Enlightenment.

The style of the garden takes its name from the roji, or path to the teahouse, which is supposed to inspire the visitor to meditate to prepare him for the ceremony.

[3] The oldest surviving official record dates back to 8th century detailing Shilla and Gaya Confederacy monarchs and royal families holding tea ceremonies at palaces and temples.

[12] However, various farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, scholars, scientists, and community leaders of Korea endeavored and persisted in keeping the Korean way of tea alive during and beyond those highly unstable times.

They tend to be flexible and adaptive in choice and design of teaware used, minimalist in proceedings taken, and tea may be accompanied by traditional snacks and sweets or Dasik (다식) and Dagwa (다과).

[18] In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in fine teas in the United States, mainly due to the lifting of China's ban on exports in 1971.