I am very impressed with this book. Tyas Sosen is a true expert in the field of Japanese tea, having achieved official certifications that are difficult to quality for in general and that few Westerners have achieved, but what makes this book stand out is that Tyas' perspective is quite different from the mainstream ethos of Japanese tea both within and outside of Japan. Tyas promotes what is surprisingly rare in this day and age - organic and artisanal Japanese tea. The unfortunate fact is that most Japanese tea, even "exclusive" and expensive tea from the most esteemed suppliers, is generally produced with high amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. The reason for this is that the Japanese standard of taste in tea - the precious "umami" - is not really an inherent flavor in tea, so the tea must be coerced into producing these kinds of flavors. This standard has been cultivated by the tea industry, which has molded the public into consumers who demand this type of tea (one of my favorite stories in the book is that a major tea producer in Japan in the 1950s used to add MSG to tea to enhance its umami flavor!) The agricultural processes that are implemented to do this weaken the tea bush, so fertilizers and pesticides are needed to sustain growth. This fact is obfuscated by the tea industry, so it is not well known. Additionally, this emphasis on a certain flavor leads to a desire for consistency from year to year and place to place via blending and these "forceful" agricultural practices, which sadly detracts from one of the most lovely aspects of tea, which is the natural variation between regions, terroir, and harvests. Learning this about Japanese tea really surprised me. I am also a lover of Chinese and Taiwanese teas, and the variation between bushes, regions, and harvests is something that is highly valued by the market in China and Taiwan. Moreover, artisanal tea is highly prized in China and Taiwan, a lot of tea produced in these countries is cultivated with minimal or no agricultural chemicals or pesticides.
The Story of Japanese Tea is one of the only sources that I know of that really sheds light on this very poorly understood aspect of Japanese tea. Because Japanese tea is not simply a "beverage" in Japan and is very tightly woven into the fabric of Japanese culture, a deep understanding of Japanese history, spirituality, and society is necessary to truly understand Japanese tea. Tyas is incredibly well-informed in all of these areas, and the book is thoroughly researched and strives to explain tea not as a monolith but in the context of Japanese culture, religion and history.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japanese tea from a variety of perspectives, including ceremonial, cultivation, production, Buddhist, historical and societal ones. Superb work!
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an authentic account of Japanese tea from a true insider - must read!
This quote from the book touched me deeply and is, I think, a great example of the level of consciousness and awakening that Tyas has attained through tea :"I believe that through tea, we can learn to appreciate the presence and good intentions of others. I believe that Tea teaches us to be grateful for the time we spend together, the opportunities we are given, and to respect our fellow human beings for whom they essentially are. I believe that in Japanese tradition, we can find the inspiration to cultivate our own human being, and in effect contribute to making the world a better place. I believe in the power of human interaction, and the power of respecting someone’s beliefs as the tools to create this better world, and the embodiment of this belief for me is present in Japanese Tea."This book is a must read to understand and enjoy japanese tea even more, and also to grow and evolve personally.Thank you Tyas for your dedicationVal from Kumiko Matcha
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
"I believe that through tea, we can learn to appreciate the presence and good intentions of others. I believe that Tea teaches us to be grateful for the time we spend together, the opportunities we are given, and to respect our fellow human beings for whom they essentially are. I believe that in Japanese tradition, we can find the inspiration to cultivate our own human being, and in effect contribute to making the world a better place. I believe in the power of human interaction, and the power of respecting someone’s beliefs as the tools to create this better world, and the embodiment of this belief for me is present in Japanese Tea."
This book is a must read to understand and enjoy japanese tea even more, and also to grow and evolve personally.
Thank you Tyas for your dedication
Val from Kumiko Matcha
an authentic account of Japanese tea from a true insider - must read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
This quote from the book touched me deeply and is, I think, a great example of the level of consciousness and awakening that Tyas has attained through tea :Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
"I believe that through tea, we can learn to appreciate the presence and good intentions of others. I believe that Tea teaches us to be grateful for the time we spend together, the opportunities we are given, and to respect our fellow human beings for whom they essentially are. I believe that in Japanese tradition, we can find the inspiration to cultivate our own human being, and in effect contribute to making the world a better place. I believe in the power of human interaction, and the power of respecting someone’s beliefs as the tools to create this better world, and the embodiment of this belief for me is present in Japanese Tea."
This book is a must read to understand and enjoy japanese tea even more, and also to grow and evolve personally.
Thank you Tyas for your dedication
Val from Kumiko Matcha
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Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2019
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