also: さじん
tea master; master of the tea ceremony
Refers to a person deeply versed in the art of the Japanese tea ceremony (茶道), often a practitioner or teacher.
person of eccentric tastes; connoisseur of the unusual
Derived from the aesthetic sensibilities associated with tea masters, this sense describes someone with refined, often quirky, tastes in art, food, or lifestyle. Less common than the primary sense.
He is a famous tea master and has many disciples.
He's not just a gourmet; he's more of an eccentric connoisseur, what you might call a 茶人.
Standard kanji form; the reading ちゃじん is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common but still encountered, especially in older or literary contexts.
Compound of 茶 (tea) and 人 (person). The extended meaning of 'eccentric' arose from the association of tea masters with unconventional aesthetic pursuits.