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| Traditional Storage for the Ceremony of Kuradashi Matcha |
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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 'Traditional Storage for the Ceremony of Kuradashi Matcha'. |
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Traditional Storage for the Ceremony of Kuradashi Matcha (Efforts for Kuradashi Tea)
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Many years ago in Japan, tea leaves were stored in a special ceramic jar for Kuradashi Matcha like the below pictures at early summer around June or July after the Matcha harvest was completely finished. The tea leaves stored in the jar are known as Tencha: tea leaves before being ground into the fine powder of Matcha. The jar was carefully stored following a specific process in order for the tea leaves to enrich and age in good condition. The jar was opened at Kuchikiri no Gi, a tea ceremony in mid autumn. Above is a series of the ceremony of Kuradashi Matcha.
- First, Tencha tea leaves (*) for the highest grade Matcha like our Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle or Super Premiumare packaged in a bag made with Washi paper.
- The package is put into the jar in which Tencha (*) for high grade Matcha is stored.
- Then the jar is filled with the Tencha (*) the high grade Matcha. And the mouth of the jar is sealed off with Washi paper and Japanese paste.
(*) Tencha: tea leaves before being ground into the fine powder of Matcha
In a small WASHI Japanese paper bag, as in the below picture, 20g (0.71oz) of the highest grade Matcha (for KOICHA / Thick Matcha) was packaged. Two or three of the WASHI Japanese paper bags package 20g of the highest grade Matcha and about 600g (21.26oz) of middle grade Matcha (for USUCHA / Thin Matcha) traditionally was placed in the jar. The amount was enough to serve KOICHA at approximately six tea ceremonies and to prepare 340 bowls of USUCHA. Certainly the tea masters cherished the jar of Kuradashi Matcha throughout the year. And great masters probably used up several jars of Kuradashi Matcha each year. (Our Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle and Super Premium are KOICHA grade.)
Until around mid 19th century Japan, the production of Matcha was monopolized by seven tea merchants in Uji, Kyoto. So the above process of storing tea in this special jar was allowed to only the seven tea merchants.
(Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle and Super Premium are now available.) |
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Kuradashi Matcha is Now Available! |
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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. |
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[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... |
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[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... |
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[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... |
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[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... |
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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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Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha |
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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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Kuradashi Matcha |
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[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... |
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[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... |
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[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... |
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|
|
|
|
[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... |
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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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