Interview with Isshiki-san: Spreading the Joy of Matcha-Making Around the World

Matcha is one of the representative flavors of Japanese culture, but it’s more than just a key ingredient for teas and sweets – after all, making and drinking tea constitutes a culture of its own. In particular, Japanese tea ceremonies pay as much attention to the ingredients as they do to the tools used for making tea, the setting where the ceremony takes place, and the guests with whom the tea is shared over casual conversation. It’s a culture that lets people bask in peace and tranquility away from their hectic everyday lives and encourages respect for the host as well as the people you’re fortunate enough to share the experience with.

With its long history and the fact that it embodies some integral Japanese values, learning how to brew matcha continues to be a popular item on any tourist’s wishlist. O’Matcha Isshiki is one such brand offering an especially immersive tea ceremony workshop in Tokyo. With the highest quality tools, matcha, and even English language guidance, beginners won’t have to worry about any barriers to fully experience Japan’s traditional culture for themselves. But let’s learn more about O’Matcha Isshiki before going ahead and booking their tea experience course, shall we?

Can you please introduce yourself? What is your role in the company, and when did it start?

Hello, my name is Aito Isshiki, and I am from Tokyo. I am the 5th generation of Shinjuku Isshiki, a company established in 1907. For over a century, our company has been cherished by tea ceremony masters and school tea clubs alike for providing high-quality tea utensils. Growing up immersed in this rich tradition has laid the foundation for my deep connection to the world of tea. Currently, I am training in the Enshu style of tea ceremony at a dedicated dojo. The Enshu style places great emphasis on harmony, simplicity, and elegance in tea practices. Its philosophy inspires me as I continue to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of this cultural art.

Even from a young age, I was surrounded by individuals involved in tea ceremonies and the martial arts. Their calm demeanor and refined approach to life taught me how traditional Japanese culture shapes character and enriches life. These experiences have fueled my passion for sharing the joy of tea with others.

As your instructor for this matcha experience, I will guide you step by step in a private and intimate setting, teaching you how to prepare matcha properly. You will also learn about the essential tools used in tea preparation, including their names, uses, and cultural significance. I hope this experience will not only enrich your time in Japan but also offer you a deeper understanding of the profound meaning behind Japanese traditions. I look forward to sharing the beauty of Japanese culture with you, one bowl of tea at a time.

Can you please explain to our readers what O’Matcha Isshiki does, including its mission and values?

Our activities can be broadly divided into two categories.

The first is the sale of matcha, tea utensils, and lacquerware crafted by artisans who specialize in tea ceremony tools, as well as other traditional crafts. Our main sales bases are in Japan and the Eurozone, where we aim to introduce Japanese traditional culture to a wider audience through these products.

The second is hosting experience-based workshops to teach the basics of matcha preparation and share its historical background. These workshops are held in the heart of Tokyo, in Shinjuku, and are primarily attended by tourists and expatriates living in Japan. During the workshop, participants learn how to use tea utensils while discovering the profound charm of matcha. Additionally, we provide English support to make it easier for international guests to immerse themselves in Japan’s tea culture.

Through these activities, we aim to preserve and share the cultural and spiritual aspects of tea, which have been passed down for over 1,000 years, with modern society, both in Japan and abroad. Tea represents more than just a beverage—it embodies values such as tranquility, harmony, and respect, offering participants a unique moment of peace. We hope these experiences will enrich and enhance their daily lives.

Our mission is not only to preserve Japan’s tea culture, which is gradually fading domestically, but also to share it with a wider audience and communicate the value of tradition from new perspectives. Through matcha and tea utensils, we aim to bring a sense of calm and richness to the fast-paced lives of modern society.

O’Matcha Isshiki started as a specialty store for tea utensils and flower vases called “Shinjuku Isshiki.” What prompted the change into offering matcha-making workshops for travelers, and how has your initial mission changed in doing so?

It all started with our participation in the JAPAN EXPO held in France, where we served matcha. The event was an opportunity for us to promote Japanese traditional culture, including matcha and the tea ceremony, to an international audience. At the time, our company primarily focused on selling matcha and tea utensils within Japan, and we had little experience offering tea ceremony instruction or running a tea house. Serving matcha directly to customers was rare for us, and doing so for an international audience was an entirely new experience.

At JAPAN EXPO, we performed live demonstrations of matcha preparation and served freshly made matcha to attendees. The response was overwhelming, with many visitors expressing keen interest and even asking, “Can I try making it myself?” Additionally, we received support from local French staff, whom we taught how to prepare matcha. Some of these staff members became deeply interested in matcha and the tea ceremony after their hands-on experience.

Through these experiences, we realized that offering an opportunity to prepare matcha—not just providing the product or explaining its significance—could foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese tea culture. This inspired us to launch matcha preparation workshops in Japan as well.

How did you manage to source such high-quality matcha straight from Uji, the long-established center of matcha cultivation in Japan?

The matcha we currently offer is carefully selected through a meticulous and thorough process. We reached out to several tea producers, visited Kyoto in person, and engaged in direct discussions with tea farmers and factory workers. During these visits, we sampled various matcha products, assessed their quality, and carefully considered whether they would align with the preferences of different tea ceremony schools.

All tea producers in Uji provide exceptionally high-quality matcha, but each has its unique charm and approach to production. Some strictly adhere to traditional methods passed down through generations, preserving the artisanal heritage of Japanese tea culture. Others utilize modern machinery and advanced techniques to enhance quality and efficiency. Both approaches have their own distinct appeal, and we carefully evaluate these qualities to ensure that we deliver the best matcha to our customers. Additionally, we have long-standing relationships with tea producers who have worked with us since our company’s founding. These trusted partnerships have enabled us to offer exclusive, original blends tailored to our standards. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and collaboration.

The profound flavors and complexities of matcha produced through traditional methods, as well as the precision and consistency achieved through modern technologies, are both essential elements of the matcha we provide. By carefully selecting these qualities, we aim to not only deliver an exceptional taste but also to convey the cultural significance behind matcha. Our goal is to share the essence of Japanese tea culture with people around the world.

Similarly, you provide high-quality tea ceremony equipment for the matcha preparation course itself, but also a gallery of exclusive tea ceremony sets from a long-established shop. How did you manage to procure these beautiful and expensive items?

Our company has been a retailer of tea ceremony utensils for over 100 years. Throughout this long history, successive generations of our leadership have personally visited various artisans and wholesalers, observing their craftsmanship and works firsthand while building strong, trusted relationships. Even today, we continue to expand our connections through introductions from trusted wholesalers to meet and collaborate with new artisans.

However, it is an unfortunate reality that the number of traditional craftsmen in Japan is steadily decreasing, and the demand for their handcrafted works is also diminishing. In light of this, we feel it is our mission to support and preserve these time-honored techniques to ensure they are not lost to future generations. By passing down the craftsmanship of these artisans, we hope to contribute in our small way to the continuation of Japan’s rich tradition of artistry.

The matcha preparation experience we offer is part of this effort. We aim to provide participants with the opportunity to see and touch the tea utensils crafted by artisans, allowing them to fully appreciate their charm. We hope this experience will serve as an introduction to the beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship for many people around the world.

You always make sure to offer easy English instructions for international participants. Why might this be so important to O’Matcha Isshiki’s mission?

Providing explanations in English to international participants is essential in spreading the cultural and spiritual aspects of tea to a global audience. Matcha, which forms the foundation of the tea ceremony, is now widely recognized as a “matcha” flavor. It is featured in numerous foods and beverages and enjoyed by people around the world. However, for many, matcha is often perceived merely as a flavor or type of drink, and this limited understanding is also common in Japan.

While we are delighted that so many people appreciate the aroma and taste of matcha, we believe it is equally important to convey its deeper cultural, spiritual, and value-based aspects. By understanding these dimensions, even slightly, individuals may find ways to enrich their daily lives in meaningful ways.

One of the simplest examples is the origin of matcha as an elixir. Historically, there are accounts of Japanese shoguns recovering from illness through consuming matcha, highlighting its long-standing association with health promotion. In fact, matcha contains compounds like catechins and theanine, which are known to boost immunity and promote relaxation. By learning about these historical and cultural backgrounds, people may develop a new perspective on matcha, allowing it to bring subtle yet positive influences to their everyday lives.

What makes O’Matcha Isshiki’s matcha preparation course different from other workshops?

While we have participated in only a few other workshops, so it’s difficult to make direct comparisons, we often hear feedback from our guests that highlights the unique aspects of our experience. Unlike workshops where guests simply mimic the instructor’s actions once, our focus goes beyond just learning the steps. We take the time to explain the deeper meaning behind the tools and the Japanese spirit that they carry.

For example, in the case of the chashaku (bamboo tea scoop), there is a specific feature that we like to explain to our guests: the knot or “節” found at the center of the scoop. This knot symbolizes a boundary, and it signifies that only matcha should touch the tip of the scoop beyond that point. This concept of boundary and cleanliness is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. When we serve guests, we show them the utmost care in presenting the tools, demonstrating the spirit of omotenashi—Japanese hospitality, which is all about respect and attention to detail. Similar to how chopstick rests create a boundary between food and the individual, our approach emphasizes the idea of respect and mindfulness during the tea ceremony.

One of the aspects that our guests appreciate is the chance to select from around 18 different tea bowls, ranging from those that reflect the concept of wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) to more playful, modern designs. This flexibility is something that we believe sets our workshop apart, as it allows each participant to choose a tea bowl that resonates with their personal aesthetic. It’s a small but meaningful way to make the experience more individualized, and we believe it enhances their connection to the tradition.

During the experience, we will also take photos of you preparing and enjoying matcha with the tea bowl of your choice using a Polaroid camera. These photos are then gifted to you as a memento, which many guests appreciate. Additionally, we can email you the digital photo data afterward, making it a popular keepsake. After the experience, we provide a 30g can of matcha, from which you can choose your favorite blend of the two types of matcha you tasted. This can be taken home as a souvenir, allowing you to continue enjoying authentic Japanese matcha even after you return home. Finally, we hope that our guests will help spread the tradition of matcha and its culture worldwide. We believe these aspects distinguish our workshop and make it a unique experience compared to others.

Shinjuku Isshiki was founded in Shinjuku, and O’Matcha Isshiki’s matcha experience course is located near Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Why did you choose Shinjuku to carry out your mission of preserving and spreading Japanese tea culture?

Shinjuku, one of the most vibrant and active areas in Japan, is an ideal place to promote the rich culture of matcha and tea ceremonies. It is a city that sees a constant flow of people from all walks of life, both domestically and internationally, making it a perfect hub to introduce and share Japan’s tea culture. By providing opportunities for people in Shinjuku to learn about matcha, even through a small encounter, we hope to inspire more individuals to engage with and appreciate this aspect of Japanese tradition.

We also aim for those who develop an interest in matcha to share its charm with their families and friends, thereby fostering a growing community centered around matcha and the tea ceremony. By basing our activities in Shinjuku, we hope to create connections that spread the culture of matcha both within Japan and across the world.

Moreover, Shinjuku’s fast-paced environment means that many people here experience stress and exhaustion from the hustle and bustle of daily life. For such individuals, we believe that matcha can provide not only physical health benefits but also moments of mental relaxation and peace. Our goal is to offer a meaningful experience that positively impacts both mind and body through the beauty of matcha.

What do you think makes the tradition of the tea ceremony, and the culture of drinking tea in general, so “timeless?” Why is it important, now more than ever, to preserve this culture and let more people around the world know about it?

The reason why the tradition of the tea ceremony and the broader culture of tea drinking are considered “timeless” lies in their universal value. From feudal lords and tea masters of the past to modern-day businesspeople and athletes, tea has been cherished across generations and social classes. This enduring appeal goes beyond its health benefits, such as its relaxing properties and antioxidant effects. Tea offers people a moment to step away from the demands of daily life and reconnect with themselves.

The act of preparing and enjoying matcha is centered on being fully present in the moment—neither dwelling on the past nor anticipating the future. This focus on “here and now” aligns closely with mindfulness and meditation practices, creating a sense of calm and clarity. In our fast-paced world, opportunities to step back and observe one’s thoughts from a detached perspective are rare, making such moments of reflection all the more valuable for mental well-being.

Historically, the spirit of harmony (“wa”) has been deeply embedded in tea culture. For instance, in traditional tea rooms, it was customary for even rival warlords to disarm and share a cup of tea. This brief pause allowed them to better understand each other’s intentions and humanity, sometimes resolving misunderstandings and preventing unnecessary conflicts. Tea thus played a role not only as a drink but also as a medium for reconciliation and peace.

Preserving and sharing this cultural heritage remains vital today. In a world increasingly driven by efficiency and productivity, people often lose touch with their inner selves. However, through tea culture and the mindful moments it fosters, individuals can reconnect with their own hearts and reconsider their relationships with others. This process of introspection and harmony has the potential to build a more peaceful and balanced global society. Tea, transcending its status as a mere beverage, continues to embody the essence of “wa,” promoting mutual understanding and happiness. Sharing its beauty with people around the world contributes not only to cultural appreciation but also to the creation of a sustainable and harmonious future.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Isshiki-san! We’re sure many people would appreciate the chance to take a piece of Japanese culture back home with them, both through a deepened appreciation of tea culture and the various souvenirs available for purchase from your gallery. We always love being able to share stories like yours with our readers and appreciate you giving us the chance.

Check out O’Matcha Isshiki at the following:

Website: https://omatcha-isshiki.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omactha_isshiki_jp/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/omatcha_isshiki

Featured Photo Credit: O’Matcha Isshiki

To try great matcha and green tea, join us on any of our fantastic Green Tea Experiences in Japan!