Dear Sir and Madam,
We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support.
We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued
enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'SHOHEKIGA Paintings at NIJO Castle (Matcha Bowls featuring KANO Paintings)'.
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As shown in the below picture, the theme of the NINOMARU second castle keep is the flying geese pattern. The 954 paintings of FUSUMA sliding doors and murals called SHOHEKIGA span entire halls and rooms from the entrance to the back. They were all painted by the KANO school. Visitors are astounded by the elegant paintings which are rich in detail and bold in character.
Most paintings are colorful and decorated with gold. All paintings are comprehensively and completely designed to stage each hall and room depending on different roles of each location.
OHIROMA great hall (*1), where the SHOGUN emperor had an audience with the DAIMYO vassal lords, is decorated with paintings that honored the SHOGUN emperor. When the DAIMYO vassal lords looked up to see the SHOGUN emperor, they felt as if the great pine tree arced above the SHOGUN emperor. And the lordly hawk keenly glowered down at the DAIMYO vassal lords. The paintings effectively convey the dignity of the SHOGUN emperor of the past. (Matsu Taka Zu)
KUROSHOIN rooms (*2), where the SHOGUN emperor carried out everyday tasks with his followers, are decorated with elegant and gentle paintings of birds, flowers, trees, and so on in order to create an atmosphere of abundant fertility. (Kikuzu)
SHIROSHOIN rooms (*3) located at the back, were the SHOGUN emperor's living and sleeping rooms, decorated with SUMI-E ink paintings in order to relax the mind and body. It is only the SHIROSHOIN rooms where SUMI-E ink paintings are featured, in contrast to the colorful paintings found in the reminder of the castle. (Seikozu)
SHIKIDAI rooms (*4) next to OHIROMA great hall, where the ROHJYU chief councilor met with the DAIMYO vassal lords and handled messages or presentation articles for the SHOGUN emperor, are decorated with majestic paintings hinting of the dignity of the OHIROMA great hall. And the anterooms of the ROHJYU chief councilor are decorated with affable, kindly, and elegant paintings to cultivate a feeling of warm hospitality. (Roganzu)
TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall (*5) had two different roles. The west wing's role was to welcome DAIMYO vassal lords and is decorated with strong, dynamic paintings in order to show the dignity of the SHOGUN emperor to DAIMYO vassal lords. (Chikurin Gunkozu) DAIMYO vassal lords should have felt awed to see paintings of the tiger pride at the great entrance hall. The east wing's role was to welcome imperial envoys of TENNOH emperor or court nobles and is decorated with elegant and gentle paintings of flowers or plants in order to create grace and decorous atmosphere that was preferred by royals and court nobles. (Aokaedezu, Budohzu) The pure and fresh atmosphere like this Aokaedezu or Budohzu should have been very suitable to welcome royals and court nobles.
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| Matsu Taka Zu Fusuma at OHIROMA great hall |
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| Seikozu Fusuma at SHIROSHOIN rooms |
Kikuzu Fusuma at KUROSHOIN rooms |
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| Roganzu Fusuma at SHIKIDAI rooms |
Chikurin Gunkozu Fusuma at TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall (west wing) |
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| Aokaedezu Fusuma at TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall (east wing) |
Budohzu Fusuma at TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall (east wing) |
KANO school artisans:
In 1626, these paintings were produced by 11 artisans of the KANO schools with a focus on Tanyu KANO who directed this project. 8 artisans were blood relatives or affinities of KANO, 3 brothers (Tanyu, Naonobu, and Yasunobu), Naganobu (grand uncle of Tanyu), Jinnojho (uncle of Tanyu), Shinemon (cousin-in-law of Tanyu), Hayato, and Nobumasa (son-in-law of Tanyu). And 3 artisans were KANO school's disciples. These 11 artisans produced paintings with the help of numerous disciples. Unparalleled solidarity and technical strength of the KANO school brought a historically huge undertaking to a successful conclusion.
Matcha Bowls featuring NIJO Castle KANO Paintings page: click here
Matcha Bowls featuring NIJO Castle KANO Paintings shopping page: click here
This time, we introduce four Matcha Bowls from the series of Matcha Bowls
featuring SHOHEKIGA paintings of NIJO Castle.
NIJO Castle is not only a Japanese national treasure but also a world heritage site listed in 1994. All of the 954 paintings on FUSUMA sliding doors and murals called SHOHEKIGA at NIJO Castle are designated as nationally important cultural properties. The SHOHEKIGA paintings are from the KANO school, which was the largest and most significant school in the history of Japanese painting.
We, Hibiki-an and Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert of paintings derived from masterpieces in the middle ages, cooperated and arranged a series of Matcha Bowls featuring SHOHEKIGA paintings of NIJO Castle.
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MATSU TAKA ZU was painted for the OHIROMA great hall, where is decorated with paintings that honored the SHOGUN emperor. When the DAIMYO vassal lords looked up to see the SHOGUN emperor, they felt as if the great pine tree arced above the SHOGUN emperor...
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KIKU ZU was painted for the KUROSHOIN rooms, where the SHOGUN emperor carried out everyday tasks with his followers, are decorated with relaxing, elegant, and gentle paintings of birds, flowers, trees, and so on in order to create an atmosphere of abundant fertility...
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CHIKURIN GUNKO ZU was painted for the west wing of TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall, where is decorated with strong, dynamic paintings in order to show the dignity of the SHOGUN emperor to DAIMYO vassal lords. DAIMYO vassal lords should have felt awed to see paintings of the tiger pride...
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ROGAN ZU was painted for the anterooms of the SHIKIDAI rooms, where are decorated with affable, kindly, and elegant paintings to cultivate a feeling of warm hospitality. This ROGAN ZU is popular because of the affable, kindly, and elegant atmosphere...
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Matcha Bowls featuring NIJO Castle KANO Paintings page: click here
Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love
to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our
teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope
that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from
Kyoto, Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Atsushi Yasui
Japanese tea combined with traditional tea ware or with Japanese Snacks/Candy makes a wonderful gift.Atmospheric handcrafted tea ware enhances the green moment. All handcrafted tea ware available at Hibiki-an, created by artisans in Kyoto, Shigaraki, Tokoname, and so on is both traditional and sophisticated. Since these are our most popular and well-loved items, you can get an idea of what might make the best gift!
Traditional Japanese Snacks/Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea.
Please take a look at our Japanese Snacks/Candy, Teacups/Teapots, and Matcha Bowls/Accessories. You will certainly find the perfect gift.
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| Special tea ware, such as handcrafted tea ware, which creates a different tea experience, enhances the green tea moment. |
Well designed tea accessories certainly delight tea lovers. |
Our premium snacks and candies, follow traditional thought and roles, and are all made by traditional methods, taking a great deal of time and using only carefully selected ingredients. |
Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here
Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here
Japanese Snacks / Candy shopping category: click here
Gifts shopping page: click here
Celebration Gifts in Japan page: click here
We would like you to rediscover the value of our Teabag items for Holiday's Gifts.
At Hibiki-an, we use only the highest quality tea leaves in our tea bags. Each specially-designed nylon bag is filled with whole-leaf tea, so you can enjoy the elegant flavor of genuine Japanese tea in no time at all. The individual tea bags are much larger than standard paper tea bags - over 2 x 2 inches in a unique pyramid shape.
We have designed our Teabag teas to brew quickly and easily in the shortest possible time, while still retaining the fullest flavor and aroma, even when brewed in a teacup and not a teapot. We finished each kind of tea leaf for our tea bags in a special way, so that they will brew easily with teacups in a very short time. Of course, like all our teas, our tea bags may be reused three times. Each infusion will have a unique flavor and aroma.
If you want a quick and easy way to enjoy genuine Japanese tea, our Teabag teas are perfect for you. And we are certain that it is also perfect for the office, taking along on a trip, and so on. Teabags are also a great way to introduce genuine Japanese tea to beginners who may not own a teapot!
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| We use only the highest quality tea leaves in our tea bags. |
Our Teabags allow enjoyment of genuine Japanese tea flavor anywhere. |
Teabags are also a great way to introduce genuine Japanese tea to beginners who may not own a teapot. |
Teabag Gift Items
"Tea Bags" shopping category: click here
The combination of green tea with gold flakes makes a beautiful presentation. Gold is an ancient symbol of prosperity, and adds significance to any special occasion.
At Hibiki-an, we offer Golden Celebration Gyokuro and also Golden Celebration Matcha. Golden Celebration teas are also a perfect gift for any special occasion. In Japan people enjoy Golden Celebration tea on New Year's Day as part of a long-standing tradition. The tea is consumed while praying for the welfare of the household, and appreciating the good fortune of the previous year. It is a special moment, full of happiness and hope for the future.
Please sprinkle the gold flakes over each cup of tea after brewing or each bowl of Matcha after preparing the Matcha. The smooth flavor of Gyokuro or Matcha creates a peaceful atmosphere, and the lovely glimmering gold flakes as they float on the surface of the tea delights and occupies the mind.
We hope you enjoy the beauty and flavor of this special blend of gold and our finest tea.
Japanese "Amuse-Bouche" (Foods to Amuse the Mouth)
Traditional Japanese Snacks / Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea. Since 16th century Japan, they have been refined and improved upon over hundreds of years to create absolute harmony of flavor between the green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack. Such as the feeling you get when you have green tea and sushi together, your palate understands that this is an ideal match of flavor... (more info; click here)
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OHIGASHI is one of the most traditional Japanese confectionary which is often served at Japanese tea ceremony and pairs very well with Japanese green tea. At last, we added OHIGASHI which is made at Tsuboneya, a confectioner in Kyoto well-known for their beautiful confectionary made by hand with careful attention to quality and detail...
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OKAKI rice cracker is one of the most popular and classic snacks in Japan. At last, we added OKAKI which is made at Fujisawa Eiseido known for creating OKAKI using a traditional manufacturing process with careful attention to quality and natural ingredients. This OKAKI is traditionally-made by hand using only natural ingredients sourced only in Japan...
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CONPEITOH is a Japanese traditional sugar confectionery which came to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century. We packaged three kinds of premium CONPEITOH made by traditional processing methods with carefully selected ingredients using sophisticated modern recipes...
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This premium bean snack has a refined subtle flavor: a balance of pleasant nutty aroma of roasted beans and gentle sweet taste of the coating. Only carefully selected ingredients are used and an original manufacturing method is developed...
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This special box of premium SENBEI crackers includes two flavors: MATCHA and GENMAI roasted rice. These modern sophisticated handmade crackers are made by traditional methods, and match very well with all kinds of Japanese tea...
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(Notice 1) Improved Customer Review Posting by Nickname and Picture
We improved our website by adding an option to use a nickname and upload a picture when you post a customer review. Now you can enter a nickname when posting a review in order to remain anonymous. Previously our customer review page requested the reviewer’s real name.
And now our customer review page also allows you to upload and add a picture to your review. Please post your candid review with a picture of our tea and your family, pet, lovely landscape, or anything meaningful to you. It surely would be a great help for other customers to enrich the enjoyment of Japanese tea!
(Notice 2) Price Reduction on All Merchandise
We reduced our prices approximately 4% to 6% on all merchandise on our website due to recent exchange rate fluctuation. The updated price was effective on and after September 1, 2013. This is the second price reduction in the past 6 months and the total reduction range is approximately 15% to 18%. We will continuously make efforts to provide genuine Japanese tea and culture to our customers.
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Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an
36 Shimonoto Yuyadani
Ujitawara, Kyoto 610-0221
Japan
http://www.hibiki-an.com
![[NIJO Castle KANO] MATSU TAKA ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Matsutakazu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] KIKU ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Kikuzu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] CHIKURIN GUNKO ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Chikuringunkozu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] ROGAN ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Roganzu_A01.jpg)
