Kakizome with Matcha in Uji 2025

On New Year’s Day, one of our team members, Machi, participated in a “Calligraphy with Matcha Experience” at the Chazuna Museum in Uji. Since Kyoto is typically crowded with tourists during the New Year holidays, Machi had planned to stay home. However, the night before, while casually browsing their official Instagram, she came across a last-minute announcement about the event. Deciding to go in the morning, she found that the only other participants were an elderly couple.

 

After preparing matcha, everyone dipped the tip of a toothpick in a coffee creamer and used it to draw a kanji character that would represent her theme for the year. Machi chose the character “進” (shin), meaning “to advance,” symbolizing her determination to follow her own path without hesitation. Since this year is the Year of the Snake, she gave the character a slightly snake-like shape. Everyone shared their creations with the other participants and enjoyed the first matcha of the New Year.

 

The sweets served were “Hanabira Mochi,” a special New Year treat, featuring sweetened burdock root and white miso bean paste wrapped in soft mochi. Surrounded by the warmth of the moment and the delightful matcha, Machi appreciated the “一期一会/ichi-go ichi-e” (a once-in-a-lifetime encounter) and started the New Year with a fresh and peaceful spirit.

 

The Chazuna Museum, which opened in 2021, offers visitors the chance to learn about the culture of Uji tea, and hosts various workshops such as tea picking experiences and matcha grinding sessions.  If you ever visit Uji, be sure to check it out! Their website is here.

 

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