Page 107 - #57 English

By the end of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the way of “dian cha”, together with tea
utensils were introduced to Japan by a Japanese monk Eisai (1141-1215) who took them from Hangzhou
of Zhejiang province. It has since been popular and became the national tea ceremony of Japan. How-
ever, one dynasty after another, “dian cha” declined in China and finally was replaced by “steeped tea ”.
Now looking back, we can say that it is such as pity.
Japan Tea Central Public Interest Incorporated Association has its definition of matcha as: stone-
ground fine powder from shade-grown tea leaves laid out flat and dry without being rolled out (tencha).
From this definition, we can see that origin, environment and production style are all strictly demanded
SEEKING REAL GREEN TEA for making matcha.

IN UJI-SHI, KYOTO BEST JAPANESE MATCHA IN UJI

As the saying goes, “Japan has the best matcha in the world, and Uji has the best matcha
KITAGAWA HANBEE in Japan”. We hear the phrase “Uji Matcha” so often that many people mistake it for a brand.
Actually, “Uji” and “matcha” were not born together.
Uji is a small city in southern Kyoto. It is a basin surrounded by mountains, and it is ex-
tremely hot in summer and severely cold in winter. Such geography and climate, making Uji
more than a peaceful place, providing natural advantages for growing tea bushes as well. An-
other treasure is the family fine tea craftsmanship passed from one generation to another. Since
tea was introduced into Kyoto 800 years ago, “Uji matcha” is a synonym of “high-grade tea” and
is popular with upper echelons of society.

TEA MAKING IN ACIENT DAYS

Time honored tea brand - Kitagawa Hanbee

In Uji Kyoto, there are plenty of time-honored shops
passed from a few generations or even dozens of genera-
tions. The valuable ancient techniques are all reserved in
the craftsmanship of these old shops, whose good tea needs
no bush. What we visited this time is Kitagawa Hanbee, a
prestigious matcha brand with a history of 150 years.
Founded in 1861, Kitagawa Hanbee has been winning
“National Matcha Golden Award” for 16 years consecu-
tively. Products from its exclusive single tea field have won
34 golden awards as well. It is no exaggeration to call it the
highest-grade matcha producer in Japan.

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