JAPANESE GREEN TEA HIBIKI-AN

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At last Kuradashi Matcha is Now Available!
- Kuradashi Tea
Main Topic
At last Kuradashi Matcha is Now Available!
Efforts for Kuradashi Matcha (Efforts for Kuradashi Tea)
Kuradashi Tea is Now Available!
Seasonal Topics & Items
[New] Kyusu Yunomi Tea Sets
[New & Limited] Yunomi and Tea Accessories (Autumn and Winter)
(Notice) Price Reduction on All Merchandise (Sep. 5th)
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 'At last Kuradashi Matcha is Now Available!'.

At last Kuradashi Matcha is Now Available!

The Jidai Matsuri festival started at Kyoto city on October 15, and the main vent parade will be held on October 22. (Detail of that is anticipated to be reported soon. Please wait and see.)

At same time our Kuradashi Matcha which has been stored for over a year was taken out from the granary. We have arranged four limited edition Kuradashi Matcha as described below. They are limited edition of 850 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season. And Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha teas are still available.

Celebrate Kuradashi Teas 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.
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz): US$43.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$128.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
This Kuradashi Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 21%. The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
[Limited] Matcha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$34.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
For this Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$85.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
This Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. For this Kuradashi Matcha, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
What's Kuradashi Tea: click here

Efforts for Kuradashi Matcha (Efforts for Kuradashi Tea)

Aged and enriched Matcha known as Kuradashi Matcha is very special to all those who engage in tea ceremony. In the Japanese tea ceremony, even today, people celebrate aged Matcha in the ceremony called Kuchikiri no Gi every autumn. Traditionally, a special tea jar filled with Matcha was 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 in the autumn after the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony. And it was said that when the jar lid was opened in autumn, the marvelous fragrant aroma was savored. Indeed, when we open a package of our special Kuradashi Matcha, here at Hibiki-an, that has been aged for more than one year, the aroma is so amazing that there are no words to describe it.

To correctly age Kuradashi Matcha, there are many rules and special procedures one must follow.
Tea leaves should be stored not in powder form, but as Tencha. Tea leaves before they are ground into fine powder, but after stems and veins are removed, are known as Tencha. For Kuradashi Matcha, the Tencha is ground into powder by a stone mill called Ishiusu just before it is shipped to the customer. The reason for this is because when Matcha is ground into a fine powder, it deteriorates more easily than tea leaves such as Gyokuro and Sencha due to the fact that there is more surface area exposed to the air. If one tried to age Matcha powder for more than one year, as we do with Tencha for Kuradashi Matcha, it would not enrich but just deteriorate.

In order to age and enrich well, tea leaves need air, oxygen. The Tencha tea leaves are stored in open, unsealed foil bags in a special refrigerator that is somewhat cool, but not too cold. We keep a flow of fresh air constantly circulating through the refrigerator, allowing oxygen to mix with the tea. In this way, the tea leaves are allowed to breathe over time and enrich.

When Tencha is ground in the stone mill known as Ishiusu, the temperature is 60 to 70C (140 to 158F). The moderate heat deepens the mellow taste of the Kuradashi Matcha. The stone mill can grind only 70g (2.5oz) per hour. It takes a long time to grind the Tencha into Matcha, therefore some tea companies have several stone mills, which are very expensive and require a huge space. Though today's stone mill is turned by an electric motor, not by hand, most parts of today's stone mill are quite the same as the traditional stone mill of many years ago. Even today, the grooves of the great stones used in the mill which grind the tea are hand-carved by skilled craftsmen.
Today many manufactures tend to use power disintegrator machines to create Matcha, as it is much more efficient than traditional stone mills. Middle and low grade Matcha is often made using a power disintegrator machine. Only high and highest grade Matcha, such as our Kuradashi Matcha, is ground by traditional stone mill to deepen the mellow taste.

As above, to create the unique and subtle mellow flavor of Kuradashi Matcha, which enhances in the mouth and lingers for a while, a great deal of time and care are devoted not only to growing tea at the tea farm but also to the special process to turn fresh tea leaves into perfectly-aged Kuradashi Matcha.
Tea leaves of aged Tencha just before ground
Matcha grinding factory
Today's stone mill turned by an electric motor
Traditional stone mill turned by hand
Grinding into Matcha with the traditional stone mill
Even today stone mills are hand-carved by skilled craftsmen
What's Kuradashi Tea: click here

Kuradashi Tea is Now Available!

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.
.
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.

Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha

[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...
[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...
[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...
[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...

Kuradashi Matcha

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz): US$43.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$128.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
This Kuradashi Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 21%. The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
[Limited] Matcha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$34.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
For this Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$85.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
This Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. For this Kuradashi Matcha, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
What's Kuradashi Tea: 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

Seasonal Topics & Items

[New] Kyusu Yunomi Tea Sets

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.
[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...
[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...
Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here
Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here

Yunomi and Tea Accessories (New / Limited: Autumn and Winter)

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.
[Limited] FUJIN RAIJIN Yunomi - Pair (handcrafted Teacup): US$518.00 (Now Available)
These Yunomi feature the quintessential and well-loved work, FUJIN RAIJIN ZU by Sohtatsu Tawaraya, which is designated as a national treasure. Sohtatsu Tawaraya is one of the most famous great masters of Japanese painting in the early modern period...
- Single: click below
[Limited] FUJIN Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup): US$298.00
[Limited] RAIJIN Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup): US$298.00
[Limited] KOHCHI Yunomi - Pair (MUBYOU / TAKARA DUKUSHI): US$208.00 (Now Available)
These Yunomi are created by the traditional technique known as KOHCHI. KOHCHI technique, much-prized in tea ceremony, is to edge each pattern, placing a fine border of clay around each design. KOHCHI porcelain has an indescribable noble and graceful atmosphere...
- Single: click below
[Limited] KOHCHI MUBYOU Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup): US$126.00
[Limited] KOHCHI TAKARA DUKUSHI Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup): US$101.00
[Limited] TOHAN - pair (KOHAKU TSUBAKI / HAKU BAI): US$173.00 (Now Available)
KOHAKU TSUBAKI means red and white color camellia flowers. Camellia flowers are one of the most traditional, cherished flowers of Japan. HAKU BAI means white color UME plum. Plum, a traditional symbol of wintertime or early spring in Japan...
- Single: click below
[Limited] KOHAKU TSUBAKI (handcrafted teacup: 225ml): US$95.00
[Limited] HAKUBAI (handcrafted teacup: 225ml): US$92.00
[Limited] HOKUSAI -Paired UKIYOE(handcrafted Teacup): US$186.00 (Now Available)
These Yunomi feature two of the quintessential and well-loved works by Hokusai Katsushika. AKA FUJI and URANAMI are painted on these Yunomi by Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert on painting...
- Single: click below
[Limited] HOKUSAI - AKA FUJI (handcrafted Teacup: 200ml): US$97.00
[Limited] HOKUSAI - NAMIURA (handcrafted Teacup: 200ml): US$97.00
[Limited] SAKURA Wooden Yunomi - Pair (TAMAGO / TSUTSU GATA): US$111.00 (Now Available)
This style of Yamanaka Nuri lacquer ware Yunomi is quite rare and exceptional, even in Japan. The weight is lighter than pottery or porcelain, and the mouth and hand feel is uniquely soft. The wood grain and warmth of the wood create a relaxing atmosphere...
- Single: click below
[Limited] TAMAGO Wooden Yunomi (handcrafted teacup: 150ml): US$63.00
[Limited] TSUTSU GATA Wooden Yunomi (handcrafted teacup: 180ml): US$63.00
[Limited] HANA KIKOH - Pair (TSUBAKI / AKI KUSA): US$93.00 (Now Available)
AKI KUSA autumn flowers and TSUBAKI camellia flower, well-loved symbols of the autumn and winter season in Japan, are each painted elegantly on the surface. This is a multi-use cup suitable for use as a tea cup as well as a matcha bowl...
- Single: click below
[Limited] HANA KIKOH - TSUBAKI (handcrafted Multi-cup:180ml): US$54.00
[Limited] HANA KIKOH - AKI KUSA (handcrafted Multi-cup:180ml): US$54.00
[Limited] HANA MISHIMA Yunomi - pair (handcrafted Teacup): US$107.00 (Now Available)
These Yunomi are beautiful and sublime with a well balanced shape and graceful decoration. The name HANA MISHIMA means beautiful Yunomi created by MISHIMA technique. HANA means flowers or great beauty in Japanese...
- Single: click below
[Limited] HANA MISHIMA Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup): US$61.00
[Limited] FUJIYAMA - OHNAMI / SARUBASHI (handcrafted teacup: pair): US$94.00 (Now Available)
This Yunomi is a long-selling favorite in Japan for more than 20 years. Turned upside down, each Yunomi looks like Mt. Fuji. This pair features SURUGA no OHNAMI swelling wave and OHTSUKI no SARUBASHI bridge, which are both famous view and spot of Mt. Fuji...
[Limited] Whisky Barrel Ash Yunomi (handcrafted teacup: pair): US$86.00 (Now Available)
The glaze of this Yunomi is made from the ash of whisky barrels which were made from 100-year old white oak trees, and were used at Suntory for 50 to 60 years...
[Limited] SHINOGI Yunomi (handcrafted Teacup: pair): US$70.00 (Now Available)
Visual impression, hand and mouth feel, and so on are mysteriously quite gentle and tender, though the form of each part, such as the scraped patterns or discoloration of ceramic ware, are dynamic and vivid...
[New] KUWA Chazutsu (handcrafted container; capacity 50g): US$215.00 (Now Available)
Japanese wooden crafts made from the KUWA mulberry tree are highly prized and sought after, especially for use in tea ceremony. The wood is very fine and beautiful and its grain has a fascinating dark sheen...
[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."...
[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...
Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here
Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here

(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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Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an
36 Shimonoto Yuyadani Ujitawara, Kyoto 610-0221 Japan
http://www.hibiki-an.com