Mellow Monk's Green Tea Blog

Labels: animals, Japan, photographs

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Kokura Castle in a cloud of sakura

We just received this — a photo of Kokura Castle, previously misidentified as Kumamoto Castle.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Kumamoto, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Photos galore—nature and Japan

Greg du Toit's nature photos are simply amazing, especially if you like animals.

And some of the shots in this collection of Japan photos are wonderful, too.

A lovely photo from James Justin's Japan 2009 collection.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: animals, Japan, photographs

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Frost-fighting fan in a tea field

This photo, taken in the orchard of one of our tea artisans, shows a fan that protects the leaves from frost.

The fans rotate slowly, generating only a slight breeze, but that is enough to stop frost from forming on budding leaves.

This is especially important in early spring, when the daytime warmth wakes the plants from their winter slumber, but temperatures can still drop low enough for frost to form in the wee hours.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, Japan, Kumamoto, Mellow Monk green tea, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Hiroshige galore!

Here is a large, well-organized repository of woodblock prints by the amazing Hiroshige.

Illustration 13, "Namazu," in the Hoeido edition of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road series.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture

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Two books—tea espionage and the gardens of Japan

Read a review of For All the Tea in China, which chronicles the tale of an Englishman who stole the secret of tea from China in the 1800s.

Another book you may find interesting is The Gardens of Japan, which is reviewed here.

A landscape at the Adachi Museum of Art, which is one of the many featured in The Gardens of Japan.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: China, Chinese tea, green tea in the news, Japan, Japanese culture, just plain interesting, sights to see in Japan

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Tea fields surrounded by the Mt. Aso caldera

In the background is Gairinzan, which means literally "outer rim mountains," as in the outer rim of a crater. Technically speaking, the Aso valley is a caldera, not a crater. In fact, the area's volcanic soil is one of the secrets of its delicious green tea.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, Japan, Kumamoto, Mellow Monk green tea, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Part of the PBS series Empires, the three-part "Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire" focuses on the rise and fall of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Part 3, "The Return of the Barbarians," chronicles how the country's reluctant opening to foreigners revealed the shogunate's — and the nation's — technological backwardness, eventually leading to the shogun's overthrow and the beginning of Japanese modernization.

Re-enactment scenes from part 3, "Return of the Barbarians."

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese history, videos

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One of my favorite do-enka songs

This enka song, Roukyoku Komori Uta, was a hit for Hitofushi Taro in 1963. I love the rough, folksy feel created by the old-fashioned instruments (including what sounds like a shochu bottle being tapped with a stick):

(The "do" in do-enka, by the way, means something like "seriously," "hard-core," or "old-school.")

The song inspired a Sonny Chiba movie of the same name. Lyrics [in Japanese] here. Video of Hitofushi belting out the tune a couple of decades later on live TV here.

I can’t wait to sing this on karaoke in Japan!

Although undoubtedly many people can wait.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese language, music

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Shizuoka tea slideshow

John Lander, whose beautiful photographs I featured recently, also has this slideshow of Shizuoka's exquisite world of tea:

Japanese Tea Images Gallery - Images by John Lander

—Mellow Monk

Labels: green tea, Japan, sights to see in Japan, videos

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Folk tales and the Tale of Genji

Here is a smattering of Japanese folktales.

(And, for good measure my favorite Japanese ghost story.)

But the Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) is no mere folktale. Although written over a thousand years ago, it weighs in at one thousand pages and is considered one of the world's first novels.

(The book's protagonist, Hikaru Genji, is not to be confused with the '90s boy band of the same name.)

Many of the sites featured in the novel can still be visited today, although they may have changed a bit in the last millennium.

Kyoto's Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, said to be the tutelary shrine of the Minamoto (Genji) clan, to which Hikaru Genji belonged.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, sights to see in Japan

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Lamps and other authentic Japanese wares

Artcraft Japan carries some very lovely, very authentic Japanese products. These are clearly no touristy trinkets.

Even photos of these lamps make me feel so mellow.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan

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Nara's Todaiji

If you are ever in Nara, you should definitely pay a visit to the very old, very regal Todai Temple.

The underside of Todaiji's Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate).

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, sights to see in Japan

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Sushi rolls and zakkokumai onigiri

The Pioneer Woman shows how to make some unique, scrumptious-looking sushi rolls, while La Fuji Mama gives us a recipe for mouth-watering zakkokumai onigiri.

Thank you so much, ladies!

The glorious Donewell Roll.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese food

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Kit Kat = certain victory

According to one theory, the popularity of Kit Kat in Japan is due partly to its name, whose Japanese pronunciation bears a phonetic resemblance to the phrase kitto katsu, or "You will surely win."

Available in green tea flavor, of course. In Japan, that is, of course.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese language, news from Japan

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Japan's smiling dog

At roughly 0:32 in this video, Chiichan's owner asks if he wants to go for a walk, and in response the doggie makes the face that has made him an Internet sensation.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: animals, Japan, just plain interesting, videos

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More of mellow Usa

Yesterday's post didn't do the place justice, so here are more photos of Oita's Usa Shrine:

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Japan-o-ramas

360cities has literally hundreds of panoramas of sights to see in Japan, but the closest the website gets to our teas' homeland of Kumamoto is Usa Jingu, a sprawling, beautiful shrine located one prefecture over in out-of-the-way Usa.

This is only one small area of the entrancingly large shrine complex. If you are ever in Oita or Beppu, I highly recommended making the drive — or train ride — to Usa.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, sights to see in Japan

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The sword, the empty mind, and the teacup

Speaking of Japan's martial arts (see Tuesday's post), I recently came across a scientific study that reminded me about another martial art — the way of the sword.

Researchers in England have found that a person reacting to another's action can actually be faster than the person to whom he or she is reacting.

This reminded me of iaidō, which is known as the art of drawing a sword but more specifically is about drawing a sword in response to an opponent who has drawn first.

Not an appealing situation to be in.

The study also reminded me of a comment in "Kyushu, Where Japan's Green Tea Growers" (a documentary in which a Mellow Monk tea procurer is shown visiting two families of grower-artisans). At a kendo school in Hitoyoshi, a kendo master discusses [video link] the importance of emptying one's mind before a bout — that doing so is necessary to assure quick action.

But the reason for doing so is not merely to react to one's opponent but also to act as quickly and as unconsciously as one who is reacting.

The concept of emptying one's mind also ties in with the philosophy of tea — as a prerequisite for mindfully focusing on the tea at hand and on one's guest.

But then that is a topic for another post.

An intense moment at the kendōjō. (Click the image to see the video clip.)

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese cinema, philosophy of tea, Stringing Tea

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Japanese archery and tea—linked by mindfulness

There is a definite connection between martial arts and tea: As explained in part 3 of "Kyushu, Where Japan's Green Tea Grows," in both cases the practitioner's goal is to empty his mind (kokoro wo mu ni suru), to be so mindful as to completely shut out distracting thoughts.

Demonstrating this philosophy at work in kyūdō is a wonderfully insightful video from the wonderfully named Empty Mind Films, the "leading independent film studio for documentary films on Asia":

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, videos

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How to find Tokyo's best noodles

Start by checking out this slideshow and the accompanying article.

I am a huge fan of tonkotsu ramen. How about you?

Absolute heaven for a ramen aficionado: a "deep tonkotsu broth with its hint of bonito flavor . . . slices of pork, their edges caramel-sweet . . . the bite of the noodles [and] the egginess of the soft-cooked egg."

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese food, sights to see in Japan

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On location in Kumamoto and Kagoshima

Here are a couple of photos of the director and cameraman filming the green tea documentary — "Kyushu, Where Japan's Green Tea Grows" — that I helped out with and which featured a couple of our tea artisans.

To the see the beautiful scenery and lovely people filmed in this most mellow part of Japan, you can watch the finished documentary online.

In the Kuma district of Kumamoto.

In Chiran, in southern Kagoshima.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, Japan, Kumamoto, Mellow Monk green tea, photographs, sights to see in Japan, Stringing Tea

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Mellowing at Toji Temple

This photo of Kyoto's Toji Temple — part of an excellent collection — makes me feel as if I am there.

I imagine myself there, sitting on a nice cold rock at the pond's edge, sipping a cup of hot tea, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this magnificent place.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Walking on a bridge

Two of Velvet Escape's ten incredible bridge walks are on bridges in Japan — the Yokohama Bay Bridge and the wooden Kintai Bridge in the town of Iwakuni.

And of course what better song to listen to while walking one of these bridges than Keiko Matsui's "Walking On The Bridge."

The Kintai Bridge looking marvelous at cherry blossom time.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, sights to see in Japan

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Get close to geisha for five dollars (instead of five hundred)

In a move to promote tourism, the city of Kyoto has started offering visitors the chance to attend a tea ceremony with real-live maiko and geisha for only 500 yen (US$5).

Just take care, readers, that they don't try to upsell you to the five hundred dollar package.

Pretty classy for a tourist trap.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: geisha, Japan, sights to see in Japan

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Tokyo, off the beaten path

Purojitsu.com user John Hyperion has posted photos taken on a recent trip to Japan, including some places off the beaten path.

I am not sure where this is. If anyone does, please share your knowledge with us.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, photographs, sights to see in Japan

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Two on the koto

Here are two lovely pieces played on the koto, starting with composer Michio Miyagi's "Tegoto" as performed by Kaori Kimoto.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, music, videos

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The green, mellow island

Located at the southern end of the Izu archipelago, Aogashima ("Green Island") is one of Japan's most remote inhabited islands. The fewer than 150 residents are watched over by a lone policeman, whose duties include welcoming—with a salute—the daily helicopter that begins its trip from the island chain's northern end.

The island administratively belongs to Tokyo, but life there is about as far removed from Tokyo as can be—and the islanders wouldn't have it any other way. Many of them have cellphones, but one mother is proud that her young children don't have one. "It's safe here, so they don't need one," she explains.

In addition to cellphones, the locals also have Internet access, allowing them to sell their wares directly to consumers. The most famous of them is potato shochu.

What keeps these people from leaving their island? A big reason is a sense of obligation to their ancestors. In 1785, a volcanic eruption forced the islanders to evacuate to Hachijo Island. Thirty-nine years later, a noble named Jiro Sasaki rallied his fellow Aogashima islanders and organized a move back to their beloved island. Even today, Sasaki is revered as the "Moses of Aogashima," and residents consider themselves his descendants and stewards of his legacy.

The volcano today.

"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for our ancestors," said two teenaged brothers. "They worked hard to protect this island, and that's why we have to, as well."

When asked why she stayed, the 86-year-old mother of a shochu distiller answered: "In the old days, life here was so difficult, and my parents went through a lot of hardship. That's why I have to continue [this way of life]."

[Source: Sankei]

Such words embody a spirit that is widespread in Japan—a sense of obligation to their land. This feeling of responsibility is strong among the country's farmers, too.

If you have a Google account, you can check out these pictures of a traveler who was stranded on Aogashima when rough seas stopped the ferry traffic for consecutive days.

I only half-seriously put this in the "sights to see in Japan" category, but if anyone ever does get to Aogashima, or has been there, I would love to hear about it.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: family farms, Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese history, mellowness, sights to see in Japan

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Sunrise over a tea field

A screen capture from "Kyushu, Where Japan's Green Tea Grows."

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, Japan, Kumamoto, Mellow Monk green tea, photographs, Stringing Tea, videos

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Two Tokyo time traps

Jeff Henig has taken some beautiful photos of Tokyo's historic Yanesen district, while HubPages user Japanlover has written a fascinating account of two station towns along the old Nakasendo roadway where time stands wonderfully still.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese history, sights to see in Japan

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Get "spirited away" to an otherworldly hot spring inn

If you think the Kanaguya hot spring ryokan has an otherworldly look and feel to it, then you are not alone: Hayao Miyazaki used it as his inspiration for the otherworldly animated inn in Spirited Away.

The inn's four-story wood-frame Saigetsu Tower is designated as Japanese tangible cultural asset No. 20-136.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese cinema, Japanese history, sights to see in Japan

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Aso's natural spring water drinking fountains

The people of Aso are proud of and particular about their tea and their abundant natural spring water. So much so that the area around Aso shrine has a dozen or so public drinking fountains that serve up naturally flowing natural spring water.

The video below showcases these beautifully designed fountains, including one I blogged about recently.

—Mellow Monk

blog feed, reviews, teas, videos

Labels: Aso, environment, Japan, Japanese culture, sights to see in Japan, videos

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Undokai time lapse

From Rocking in Hakata comes a two-minute time-lapse video of an undokai (sports festival) in Japan.

Note also the movement of the ocean in the background.

—Mellow Monk

blog feed, reviews, teas, videos

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese language, videos

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Mt. Fuji time lapse

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, sights to see in Japan, videos

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Old Japanese Christmas illustration

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese history, Mellow Monk announcements

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Handcrafted wooden bathtubs from Japan

Bartok Design custom-crafts top-quality traditional wooden Japanese bathtubs made from hinoki.

And remember: These tubs are for soaking, not washing. But what a soothing, stress-relieving, whole-body-rejuvenating soak it is.

A wood tub like this would be such a luxury. I promise to be an environmentally good boy all year if I can have one for Christmas.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, stress relief

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Green tea made with spring water

The residents of Aso (whence Mellow Monk tea hails) are so proud of their deliciously health natural spring water that the city installed public drinking fountains dispensing this natural spring water, free for locals and visitors alike.

In the picture below, we made some cold-brewed matcha using this water, an empty soda bottle, and some of our powdered green tea.

It was, needless to say, delectable . . . and so easy to make: Just add matcha powder and water, then put on the cap, shake vigorously and—voilà—a bottle of delicious, healthy, thirst-quenchingly cool matcha.

This fountain is named "Katarai no Shizuku," which can mean "murmuring drops" (a reference to the water's sound) but can also mean "water for talking" (referring to how a drinking fountain brings people together) or even "lover's vow water" (which would play well with honeymooners visiting the town).

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, Japan, Japanese language, Kumamoto, matcha, Mellow Monk green tea, sights to see in Japan

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Mellow Monk's tea-buying trip to Japan: grand finale

Here it is, the final segment of "Kyushu, Where Japan's Green Tea Grows," a European documentary in which a Mellow Monk tea procurer is prominently featured. (When watching the video, there will be no doubt as to which one is him.)

We have more videos at YouTube, too. You can also watch this video at Vimeo.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Aso, green tea, Japan, Kumamoto, Mellow Monk announcements, Mellow Monk green tea, sights to see in Japan, Stringing Tea, videos

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Happy 1,300th, Nara

Japan is preparing to celebrate the 1,300th anniversary of the country's ancient capital in Nara City.

For 1,300 the old gal looks pretty good.

The deer of Nara Park, with the Kofukuji Temple pagoda in the background.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese history, sights to see in Japan

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Teaching the yout' the calming art of tea

A nice story about a tea ceremony teacher and her pupil—who said she used to be stressed out "like a spinning top"—demonstrating sado to a group of 8th graders in Pittsburgh.

Learning a skill—mellowness—that will come in handy later in life.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: green tea in the news, Japan, Japanese culture, matcha, mellowness, philosophy of tea, stress relief

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Delectable natural natto

I was recently fortunate enough to try Megumi Natto, a brand of naturally made natto crafted in California by Japan Traditional Foods. I was completely knocked out by the fresh, fragrant flavor. Good natto truly is a culinary delight, and Megumi Natto is truly the real deal.

This natto is also such a wonderful change of pace from the made-in-Japan natto I usually have, which, by the time it reaches my shores, just isn't the same after weeks of cold storage aboard container ships.

And that mass-market natto also contains MSG, whereas Megumi Natto doesn't.

The Megumi website is chock full of scrumptious recipes, including natto soba salad, shown below in all its mouthwatering glory.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese food

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Mellow drive into a Tokyo sunset

Click to mellow out to the big pic.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, photographs

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Uniquely Japanese Christmas cakes

In Japan, Christmas is a relatively recent import, but like any country does when importing a new custom, Japan has made its own tweaks to the holiday.

For instance: small, elegant, and for the most part absolutely scrumptious Christmas cakes.

From Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi. Price: ¥3,150 (about US$36). Did I mention that these super-elegant cakes can also be super-expensive? Cakes from less swanky shops are much more affordable but still very tasty—and they all go great with green tea, naturally.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese food, just plain interesting

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NHK matcha documentary

Thanks to YouTube user Imarvanriet for tipping me off about a well-done NHK documentary on matcha. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is part 1:

—Mellow Monk

Labels: green tea, green tea basics, Japan, Japanese culture, matcha, videos

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Japan photo book

Artist and designer Annie Riker has put together a photo book documenting her "recent trip to the visually rich country of Japan," which you can preview at Blurb.com.

One of my favorite spreads from Annie's book.

—Mellow Monk

Labels: Japan, photographs

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Photos from a mysterious flower show

If you are reading this you are a witness to Mellow Monk history: This is the first time I have ever posted something I received by accident.

A mistyping of my address fated the photos below to arrive recently in my inbox. I didn't recognize the sender's name nor that of any of his other recipients, but I do like the photographs, although all I know is that they were taken at a flower show in Japan; I don't know where or when they were taken, or by whom.

If you have a clue that would help solve this mystery, please let us know.

Then again, the mystery somehow enhances the beauty of the flowers.

—Mellow Monk