Hello everyone, I'm Keko, one of the online staff members.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to an intriguing piece of Kyoto’s tea history—"Cha-tsubo Dōchū" (茶つぼ道中), the grand tea jar procession. If you love Japanese tea, you might find it fascinating to learn how tea was transported in the Edo period (1603–1868) and how it played a crucial role in making Uji tea famous throughout Japan.
🚶♂️ The Tea Journey from Kyoto to Edo
Back in the Edo period, Uji tea was considered a luxury, and the best leaves were reserved for the Shogun and high-ranking samurai. To deliver this precious tea, an annual ceremonial procession was held. This was no ordinary delivery—it was a highly formal, almost sacred event, as if the tea itself were a royal treasure.
Tea leaves were carefully packed into large ceramic jars called "cha-tsubo" (茶壺). These jars were then transported from Uji (Kyoto) to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), a journey of about 500 kilometers (310 miles). The procession followed the famous Tōkaidō road, the same route used by feudal lords and merchants.
🏯 A Procession Fit for a Shogun
The "Cha-tsubo Dōchū" was no quiet affair. The tea jars were escorted by samurai and official envoys, ensuring that no one tampered with the precious cargo. In some cases, even police-like inspectors were assigned to prevent theft or unauthorized access. The journey took weeks, and along the way, people would gather to watch this spectacle. Imagine the excitement—people bowing as the tea passed by, knowing it was destined for the most powerful man in Japan!
Once the tea arrived in Edo, it was offered to the Shogun and high-ranking officials. This ritual reinforced Uji tea’s status as the finest tea in Japan. It’s one of the reasons why Uji tea became so highly regarded and why Kyoto remains a famous tea-producing region to this day.
🍵 A Legacy That Lives On
Although we no longer transport tea in giant jars with a samurai escort, the tradition of treasuring high-quality Japanese tea continues. Today, we can enjoy fresh Uji tea anywhere in the world, but it’s fascinating to think about how much effort was once required to deliver it!
If you ever visit Kyoto, you can still see traditional tea jars in some historical shops, and some festivals even reenact the Cha-tsubo Dōchū to celebrate this unique tradition. Next time you enjoy a cup of Uji tea, take a moment to appreciate its rich history—every sip connects us to a tradition that began centuries ago.