14th century Japan was wild
Image of Muso Kokushi : Public Domain – Wiki Media
Out of the thousands of Buddhist temples in Kyoto, both Tenryuji Temple and Saihoji Temple are among the most famous for the beauty of their gardens. Steve Jobs used to visit Saihoji Temple, now well known for its beautiful moss garden, quite often with his family.
Zen Master Muso Kokushi (夢窓国師 1275 – 1351) designed both gardens. It is said that Saihoji Temple’s garden designed by Muso Kokushi is the oldest Japanese rock garden called Kare Sansui (枯山水).
Muso Kokushi was a highly respected Zen Master, and mentored Ashikaga Takauji (足利尊氏 1305 – 1358), the first Shogun in Ashikaga Shogunate and his brother Ashikaga Tadayoshi (足利直義 1307 – 1352).
In the dialogue between Tadayoshi, Muso Kokushi criticized sharply about then faddish tea gambling. Muso Kokushi himself loved the custom of drinking Matcha, not as a means for gambling, but as a useful tool to deepen his Zen practice.
Muso Kokushi saw something in common, something spiritual, among the practice of Zen, Japanese rock garden, and the ritual of serving Matcha.
Source: Muchu Mondou (夢中問答)