also: さじん
noun
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.
彼は有名な茶人で、多くの弟子を持っている。
He is a famous tea master and has many disciples.
noun
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.
彼は食通というより、むしろ茶人と呼ぶべき風変わりな美食家だ。
He's not just a gourmet; he's more of an eccentric connoisseur, what you might call a 茶人.
Compound of 茶 (tea) and 人 (person). The extended meaning of 'eccentric' arose from the association of tea masters with unconventional aesthetic pursuits.