The traditional hand-rolling of tea, known as temomi seicha (手揉み製茶), was the primary way for producing Japanese tea before the introduction of tea processing machines. Now, it is being recognized as an essential part of Japanese cultural heritage. This month, the Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a request to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology to register temomi seicha as an intangible cultural property alongside ikebana – the art of flower arrangement. They would join an esteemed list of intangible cultural properties that already includes calligraphy, traditional sake brewing, namagashi (Japanese sweets), and traditional Kyoto cuisine.
Inspired by the Chinese tea-stuffed oranges known as Xiao qing gan, a shop in Mie has crafted a Japanese version called Ise Shouseikan, made by packing Mie-grown tea leaves into yuzu peel. Additionally, Mie’s JA has released a set of Ise tea bags featuring the Mie-support Pokémon – Oshawott. The set includes five types of tea: sencha, kabusecha, fukamushicha, hojicha, and wakocha, and will be available at tourist attractions and lodging facilities.
In Ibaraki, the long-established tea farm Yoshida Chaen recently opened a sauna where visitors can engage with tea through all five senses. Located in a renovated building adjacent to the tea farm, the sauna creates steam, by using brewed tea.
Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, has started a new Samurai Certification Program for foreigners. Certificates will be issued to those who experience tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and martial arts at the stunning Genkyu Rakurakuen garden near Hikone Castle.
In Kyoto, a commemorative tea ceremony marked the 150th anniversary of Doshisha University. The event was organized by the Doshisha University Tea Ceremony Club and was held at Jakuchuan, the former residence of the university’s founder – Neesima-san.
The annual Ujicha Festival took place on October 6th, featuring the renowned water-drawing ceremony as well as several matcha tea ceremonies. On October 20th, Joyo City in Kyoto Prefecture, held its own tea festival, where attendees witnessed a ceremonial tea jar opening and had the chance to purchase local tea and sweets.
A special exhibition called ‘Tea and Songs’ has opened at Urasenke Tea Ceremony Museum in Kyoto. It explores the relationship between tea ceremony and poetry through the display of tea ceremony tools and poems, and will run until 24th November. The Raku Museum, also in Kyoto, is showcasing tableware used in tea ceremonies. Known for its matcha bowls, Raku also features plates and smaller bowls in this collection.
The article is based on Japanese media articles:
- Ise Tea” produced in Mie Prefecture in collaboration with Pokemon is popular and offered at lodging facilities, Mainichi Shimbun 2024.10.07
- Tea ceremony in Uji, a festival to immerse oneself in the good old days of the tea ceremony, to appreciate the achievements of the founders of the three tea ceremony houses. Mainichi Shimbun, 2024.10.08
- Special Exhibition at Raku Museum of Art, Nikkei Shimbun 2024.10.08
- Get in tune with a long-established tea farm and a trendy sauna, Mainichi Shimbun 2024.10.16
- Kyoko Yoneda, who has been experimenting with Chinese tea hints, Asahi Shimbun 2024.10.17
- Council for Cultural Affairs reports that “flower arrangement” and “tea ceremony by hand” are registered as Intangible Cultural Properties. Nikkei Shimbun 2024.10.18
- Tea ceremony at the former residence of the founder of Doshisha in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the university establishment, Kyoto Shimbun 2024.10.19
- 60 items including the strong relationship between chanoyu and poetry, tools and materials, Yomiuri Shimbun 2024.10.21
- Foreign visitors also become “Samurai” in Hikone City, Mainichi Shimbun 2024.10.24
- Newly brewed tea from a jar is served to the gods in a solemn ceremony at the “Tea Festival” in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Shimbun 2024.10.25