Unique tea ceremonies were organized by collaboration between tea farmers and various artists, such as Italian product designers, furniture creator, interior designers etc.

On 26th March, Mr. Yamamoto and Andrea Dichira, a tea farmer in Makinohara and an Italian product designer respectively, created a fantastic atmosphere to enjoy Japanese tea in the unusual manner.

Japanese black tea so-called “Wa Koucha” was served on well-designed table on the back of stylish interior with spring flowers.

The man drinking black tea is MAEDA Yukiteru, the president of a furniture design company “MK Style”, who designed, made and provided the tables shown in the photo.

Then

As the fourth cup (1st and 2nd cups were green tea of “Okuyutaka”, however, I could not take photo accounting for my late arrival), tea of “Sun Rouge” was served. This cultivar of tea plant has high content of anthocyanin in its leaves, thus the color of its infusion is expected to be red. At the pH condition of normal infusion, the color of infusion is bluish gray as shown in the right hand of photo. Adding juice of lemon make its color change to red. This change in color is caused by the change in right absorbing property of anthocyanin.

Then, Andrea served the cocktail of green tea and Bacardi, which expressed very nice light green color as shown in the photo.

Green cocktail and crimson tea infusion created a nice contrast on the creative table.

Andrea and a nice madam enjoyed communication each other. This nice madam was dressed in a Japanese traditional cloth “Kimono” with a very unique band where ancient nobles are drown.

Mr. Yamamoto explained the history of tea industry in Makinohara upland, his ancestor of formed “Samurai”, cultivars of tea plants etc.

Two of Andrea (Andrea Dichiara(right), Andrea Gramaccia(left)) played music and singed songs. Very very nice harmony we can felt.

Conversation between artists. Andrea loves Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese food and of course Japanese tea!!