Birthplace of Japanese Tea

まいどまいど！

タタです♥︎

2019年1月26日に、宇治お茶が一般化され始めた室町時代から現在時代までの歴史をたどりながら宇治の茶どころを散策させていただきました。宇治観光ボランティアガイドクラブのご尽力のおかげでいろいろと勉強させて頂きました。

この投稿が皆さんのお役立ていただければ幸いです。

Hi, everyone! 

Tata here! I had a pleasure to be conducted through Uji city (Kyoto Prefecture), the birthplace of Japanese green tea. Thanks to the efforts of Uji Tourism's volunteer guides I turn back in time and learned a lot. 

I would like to share with you some of my views. 

Dating as far back as the beginning of the 13th century (during the Kamakura Period, 1192-1333), when the Buddhist priest Myoe Shonin was given tea seeds by Zen Monk Eisai (Eisai brought tea seeds back to Japan from China), plant the seeds in Kouzanji Temple (Kyoto City) surroundings and later opened a tea farm in Uji City (Kyoto Prefecture), tea cultivation has an important part of Japanese development, culture and history.

✨No começo do século 13 (Era Kamakura), o monge budista Myoue Shonin recebeu sementes de Camellia Simensis trazidas da China pelo do monge zen Eisai. Ligado ao templo de Kouzanji (Norte da cidade de Kyoto), o monge Myoue plantou as sementes nos arredores do templo, dando origem à primeira plantação de chá da história do Japão (veja as duas fotos abaixo).  Mais tarde o monge Myoue resolve iniciar o cultivo da planta em Uji, uma pacata região ao sul da antiga capital japonesa, conhecida até hoje como a produtora do chá japonês de melhor qualidade. 

かつてこの国にはじめてお茶がもたらされたのは平安時代。空海や最澄らの僧が中国より種を持ち帰ったことによって始まりました。種を伝えられた栂ノ尾高山寺(こうざんじ)の僧、明恵上人(みょうえしょうにん)が､より良い産地を探すうち､ここ宇治に辿り着いたのだといいます。宇治は文字通り、宇治茶のふるさとです。

Why Uji ?

The lush green rolling hills, misty climate, warm days and cool nights provide an ideal setting for plants to thrive. Surrounded by mountains, lake, river and small streams, the area is blessed with abundant minerals in its soil. Cultivation of tea spread rapidly in Uji, and has long been recognized for tea superior quality and taste. Althought only 4% of all tea production in Japan comes from Uji (the largest production is in Shizuoka Prefecture,  40%, followed by Kagoshima, 20%, Mie Prefecture, 7%), 

現在、京都で生産されている茶は、全国で４％程度しかありません（平成28年総計）。ちなみに１位の静岡県は４０％。生産量では圧倒的に静岡県。宇治、狭山は、三大銘茶ですが、生産量は多くないことがわかります。しかし、高級茶と言われる、玉露・抹茶原料の碾茶の生産量の１位は京都産です。

『色は静岡、香りは宇治よ、味は狭山でとどめさす』

という言葉もあるだけに、宇治、静岡、狭山は三大銘茶といわれています。

🍵Por que Uji? 🌱

The city really came into prominence when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu heavily promoted tea cultivation and production in the area during his 1358-1408 reign. Placed between Kyoto and Nara, Japan’s two major ancient capitals and famous historical and cultural centers, Uji became the area for tea planting thanks to its proximity to the former capitals.

とうとうと流れる川は、お茶の栽培に適した湿度をこの地に与えました。

宇治川から立ち上る朝霧が茶の栽培にふさわしいと、足利義満が茶園を作るように命じて以来､宇治は最高級日本茶の産地として現在に至っています。

Além disso, a cidade está localizada estratégicamente entre Kyoto e Nara, duas antigas capitais japonesas. Muitos aristocratas costumavam construir seus templos, santuários e palácios de veraneio ali.  

In the 15th century (Muromachi Era), Uji Tea was highly acclaimed by the Ashikaga shogunate, and thus became the top tea in Japan. While the shoguns Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Ashikaga Yoshimasa designated at the time what are known as the “Seven Famous Tea Gardens of Uji,” today only Oku no Yama tea garden remains.

650年の歴史を持つ宇治七茗園のひとつ「奥ノ山」茶園」

宇治七茗園の一つで、現在唯一の七茗園。室町幕府の庇護のもとで宇治茶はその名を高め、名前を持つ良質な茶園が成立します。宇治七茗園とは琵琶・森・川下・宇文字・祝・奥ノ山・朝日の名園をさします。

Lies at the top of the hill overlooking the Byodoin Temple and Hiei Mount, Oku no Yama tea garden is designated as Japan Heritage of Culture.

Where to buy products from the only tea garden that has lasted from the Muromachi Era? 

The answer is Horii Shichimeien, an old-established Uji Tea grower and tea blender company and is among the few stores that own their own tea gardens. 

宇治七茗園の一つで、現在唯一の七茗園。室町幕府の庇護のもとで宇治茶はその名を高め、名前を持つ良質な茶園が成立します。宇治七茗園とは琵琶・森・川下・宇文字・祝・奥ノ山・朝日の名園をさします。

By the way, At JR Uji Station, there is an unique mailbox that looks like chatsubo (a tea leaf jar). JR宇治駅前にドドンと佇むお茶壺ポスト、ご覧になったことがあるという方も多いのではないでしょうか。実はこのポストにはモデルとなったお茶壺があるんです！

Actually, the model of the mailbox is Horii Shichimeien’s chatsubo and you can check it out in the store.

それが、こちらのお茶壺。確かにそっくりですね！ 宇治茶の老舗「堀井七茗園」の店内。宇治市制50周年を記念してお茶壺ポストを作ろうとなった際に、当時の市の担当者がこの渋い緑色に惚れ込み、モデルに決まったのだとか。

【Horii Shichimeien】

84 Myoraku, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto

Tel: +81 774-23-1118

8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Website:  http://uji-shichimeien.co.jp (in Japanese)

Tea flower (Camellia Sinensis)

The old tea leaves have become a deep burnished green color. It is proof of tea tree absorbing enough nutrients. Covered with morning fog of Uji River, the tea buds grow and all of them are ready to be picked around the day of Hachi ju hachi ya (the eighty-eighth day from the beginning of spring, which falls right around May 1st or 2nd) every year. The number 8 is considered auspicious in Japan (This is due to its shape – 八. Called suehirogari (末広がり), it's lucky because it widens at the bottom which reminds one of prosperity and growth). So the 88th day sounds very lucky. Tea picked on this day is said to give the drinker long life.

Haiken Mado (Looking Window)

Selected as an important cultural lansdcape of Japan, Haiken Mado is an important tool for perfoming Uji green tea quality control.

Located under a source of direct natural light, the slanted upper planks act as a window, while the lower section creates an enclosure for inspection of tea leaves.

中村藤吉は安政元（１８５４）年の創業。明治中期に建てられ国の重要文化的景観に選定されている老舗茶問屋、中村藤吉（とうきち）本店（宇治市）で、茶葉の良し悪しの見極めに使われていた「拝見窓」。約３０年前から使われなくなり老朽化していたが、2014年に復活しました。

Selecionada como importante cenário cultural do Japão, a Janela de Observação, localizada numa fonte direta de luz natural, é um importante objeto para a avaliação das plantas de chá.  

Around 30 years ago haiken mado became obsolete, but it was renovated in 2014. It has come to be seen as a universal symbol among tea sellers.

この拝見窓の独特なかたちは宇治茶の品質管理に心を砕く茶商たちのシンボルでもあったということです。

Haiken Mado (Looking Window) is part of Nakamura Tokichi Uji main shop, a well-know established tea wholesaler since 1854. Over 160 years of history! Wow! 

中村藤吉家は１８５４年、宇治橋通りの現在地で創業した茶商。現在の屋号『まると』が誕生します。創業当時は、「丸屋藤吉（まるやとうきち）」と名乗っていた時期があり、その「丸屋藤吉」をもじって、屋号は「まると」になったということ。

From the entrance, to the right of the entrance is a tea factory, built around 1920 and to the left, dwelling quarters. The building also has a shop and a cafeteria (opened in 2011).

現在の表屋は明治中期の建物で、玄関から右側がお茶を製造する燈炉場、左側が主屋でした。

À esquerda da cortina clara da loja Nakamura Tokichi fica o espaço que era utilizado como quartos e casa da família de Nakamura Tochiki, o fundador da empresa. À direita fica a fábrica, loja, jardim japonês e um café. 

Where?

Nakamura Tokichi`s main store. Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Close to JR Uji Train Station.

何処？

 中村藤吉　宇治本店
https://www.tokichi.jp

〒611-0021 京都府宇治市宇治壱番１０

宇治橋特有のもので、橋の西詰から三つ目の柱間に設けられた上流側に張り出した部分を「三の間」といい、守護神「橋姫」を祀った名残といわれています。中国から茶の種を持ち帰った栄西禅師、宇治に茶園を開いた明恵上人、茶道の始祖・千利休の功績をしのぶとともに、茶業発展を願う。また、豊臣秀吉が茶の湯の水を汲ませたところともいわれており、１０月の茶まつりの際『名水汲上の儀』が行われます。

On the first Sunday of October,  the Uji tea festival is held to offer memorial service to the three great men made great contributions to the tea industry of Uji and the way of tea: Zen Master Eisai who brought tea seeds to Japan, Priest Myoe who planted the seeds at Uji, and Rikyu Sen who had a profound influence on the way of tea and tea ceremonies.

On the day of the festival, water is drawn from the Uji River at the “san-no-ma” position of the Uji Bridge. Water is then carried to the main hall of the Kosho-ji temple for the beginning of the ritual. Such ceremonies as “Chatsubo no kuchikiri no gi” (Opening the seal of the tea jar) and “Kencha no gi” (Offering the new tea to the founder) are performed. The tea is made by a grand master of either the Urasenke or Omotesenke school in turn.

宇治橋三の間で川の水をくむ名水汲上げの儀に続き、興聖寺では新茶の入った壺（つぼ）を開ける「茶壺口切の儀」や献茶、茶せんの供養法要がある。

🍡茶だんご 🍵

Dango are sweet rice dumplings that come in various flavors, such as red bean paste (anko), green tea and soy sauce syrup. My favorite is a classic green tea flavored called Chadango. This time I got some from Surugaya shop.

宇治橋のたもとで、美味しい茶団子など人気駿河屋さんです。

Dango são bolinhas doces de arroz. São encontradas em diversos sabores, como anko (feijão doce), molho de soja.... o meu favorito é o de chá verde, conhecido como “chadango”. Quase todas as diversas lojas de doces de Uji vendem o chadango. Dessa vez eu peguei alguns da loja Surugaya, que fica bem próxima da Ponte de Uji. 

今日もお茶で素敵な一日を〜

宇治茶巡りガイドツアー

予約・お問合せ

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