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| Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony |
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| - Kuradashi Tea |
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| Seasonal Topics & Items |
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| Dear Sir and Madam, |
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| 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 'Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony / Oct. 5 (Kuradashi Tea)'. |
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Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony / Oct. 5 (Kuradashi Tea)
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Though today some Gyokuro lovers enjoy newly harvested Gyokuro, it is the traditional wisdom that Matcha and Gyokuro generally gain an enriched flavor and sweetness over time, and are best some months after harvest.
In the Japanese tea ceremony, even today people celebrate aged Matcha in the ceremony called Kuchikiri no Gi every autumn. Kuchikiri no Gi means the ceremony of opening a special jar of tea. Matcha and Gyokuro used to be placed in a tea jar. This tea jar was then sealed and stored in a cool place like the top of a high mountain or in the ground after harvest until autumn. People would first enjoy that year's Matcha and Gyokuro in the autumn after the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony. And it was said that when the jar lid first opened in autumn, the marvelous fragrant smell was savored. It was said that the smell was so amazing that there were no words to describe it, and it had to be experienced firsthand.
Today the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony is still held by the local tea industry and a school of Teaism at Kosho Temple in Uji on the first Sunday of October every year in order to honor the forerunners who contributed to developing Japanese tea culture.
The ceremony is thus followed:
- Water is gathered by ladle from the river at Uji Bridge in the way of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, kanpaku (powerful ruler) in Japan, who supported Rikyu Sen to indurate Teaism. He always used the water from Uji Bridge every day in order to prepare his Matcha.
- The water is solemnly and mindfully carried to Kosho Temple.
- The tea jar which was filled with tea leaves and sealed in the harvest season is opened according to traditional procedure.
- Matcha is prepared by the present head of the school of Teaism.
- A bowl of Matcha is offered before the tablet of the ancestors who contributed to developing Japanese tea culture.
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| Hauling water out from the Uji river at the Uji bridge |
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| Carrying the water from the Uji river to Kohshoh temple |
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| Offering the water before the tablet of the ancestors |
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| Grinding tencha into matcha |
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| Prepared matcha by the present head of the school of Teaism |
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| Offering the matcha before the tablet of the ancestors |
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| Traditional stone mill turned by hand, and matcha just after ground. The matcha is quite beautiful and bright green color. |
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| Kohshoh Temple |
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Kuradashi Tea is Now Available! |
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At last Kuradashi Gyokuro is now available! The Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony was solemnly and mindfully held at Kosho Temple in Uji and people celebrated Kuradashi Tea on October 5
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At this time, our Kuradashi Tea which has been stored for over a year was taken out from the granary. We have arranged three limited edition Kuradashi Gyokuro teas and one Kuradashi Sencha, as described below. They are limited edition of 850 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season.
Celebrate Kuradashi Tea and enjoy the remarkable enriched flavor and sweetness which can only be experienced once every year! We are certain that the fine enriched flavor and sweetness will captivate you. |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$24.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Kuradashi Gyokuro is different from ordinary Gyokuro in aroma and flavor. The superb enriched and sweetened flavor and aroma lingers in the mouth for a while. The aroma is full, but not too strong. The flavor is rich and subtle. The taste is both mellow and enhanced... |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz): US$27.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
All Gyokuro does not gain an enriched flavor but only specific kinds of Gyokuro. It depends on some factors. We have enriched this highest grade of trimmed Gyokuro for one and a half years... |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz): US$35.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Tea leaves for this special tea grow in the Ogura area in the Uji region, which is known as one of the foremost production centers of the highest grade of enriched Gyokuro. The Ogura area was the area in where Gyokuro and Matcha were firstly grown... |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Sencha (80g/2.82oz): US$24.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Long time ago the quality and good conditioned Sencha in Autumn season must have been similar in taste and aroma to this fine Kuradashi Sencha. And that time, only few people could enjoy the excellent flavour... |
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| 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. |
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| Sincerely yours, |
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| Atsushi Yasui |
Seasonal Topics & Items
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[New] Kyusu Yunomi Tea Sets |
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| We added two Kyusu Yunomi Tea Sets. Both are paired most popular Kyusu teapot and Yunomi teacups which are very reasonable in price. These tea sets are suitable both as a first tea set for beginner or for the tea connoisseur. |
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[New] HOHRYU KAMON Tea Set: US$115.00 (Now Available)
For the HOHRYU Kyusu Tea Set, we pair our most popular, reasonable, and smartly designed handcrafted Kyusu teapot and Yunomi teacups. Of course, this tea set is suitable both as a first tea set for beginner or for the tea connoisseur... |
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[New]Essential Tea Set: US$51.00 (Now Available)
For this tea set, we pair our most popular Kyusu teapot and Yunomi teacups which are very reasonable in price. Of course, this tea set is suitable both as a first tea set for beginner or for the tea connoisseur... |
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| Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here |
| Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
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Yunomi and Tea Accessories (New / Limited: Autumn and Winter) |
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We have arranged for 17 limited edition and 3 new tea ware items. The 17
limited edition items are all available only this autumn and winter season.
The new and limited edition tea ware includes Yunomi (teacups), and Tea
Accessories. New and limited edition Matcha Bowls will be informed separately
soon.
Some of the items are designed with modern, sophisticated style, while others use traditional handcrafted techniques for a more traditional design.
We have chosen items that are of exceptional quality yet reasonable in price. They will certainly enrich and enhance your green moment. |
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[New] DARUMA TAME CHATAKU (handcrafted saucer: pair): US$65.00 (Now Available)
These Chataku are especially remarkable in their elegant shine, color and form. DARUMA is a Japanese traditional auspicious motif reminding us of the sayings that "Life is full of ups and downs" or "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."... |
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[New] Tea Scoop HAGOITA (Sami): US$5.50 (Now Available)
Our Tea Scoop is very useful for measuring tea leaves from Chazutsu or other tea container and when placing tea leaves into the Kyusu teapot. HAGOITA is a wooden paddle used in HANETSUKI Japanese battledore, a traditional game historically played on auspicious occasions like New Year's holiday in Japan... |
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| Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here |
| Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
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(Notice) Price Reduction on All Merchandise (Sep. 5th)
We reduced our prices approximately 5% to 10%, averagely 8.5% on all merchandise on our website due to recent exchange rate fluctuation. The updated price
was effective on and after September 5, 2014. We will continuously make
efforts to provide genuine Japanese tea and culture to our customers. |
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