The Last Taste of Last Spring

As tea is starting to be harvested and processed in Japan for 2020, we get to enjoy the last bit of fine tea in my collection from last year. Served in the spring cups and spring saucers that have just been put into service this week, and steeped in (possibly) my favorite pot: a houhin likely from Banko in the 1920s. A beautiful little pot with three little crabs crawling across its surface. This was a short, but very sweet, tea session.

Down to Houraidou

Have a cup of some of the finest Japanese gyokuro green tea from my favorite little hole in the wall tea shop, Houraido (蓬莱堂). Today you’ll hear a 100+yo houhin teapot, a 60+yo tokoname water vessel, a 40+yo tin leaf container, and much more (including, possibly, a car driving through gravel in the distance…) Thanks for sharing tea with me.