Yamamasa Koyamaen - Shikibu no Mukashi

🍃 Matcha Shikibu no Mukashi (式部の昔)

• Origin: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
  
• Producer: Yamamasa Koyamaen (Est. Early Edo Period)
  
• Ingredients: 100% Japanese green tea (matcha)

🌿 Tasting Profile

• Color: Deep, velvety green with an elegant sheen
• Aroma: Noble and refined, with a layered vegetal freshness
• Flavor: Intensely umami-rich with a full-bodied character; remarkably low in bitterness, offering a lingering sweetness reminiscent of dark cacao and roasted chestnut
• Texture: Silky, dense, and enveloping — glides luxuriously across the palate
• Character: Though originally crafted for usucha (thin tea), Shikibu no Mukashi also performs beautifully as koicha (thick tea), offering a robust and dignified experience ideal for moments of quiet reflection or ceremonial depth.

🌸 Inspiration

Named after Murasaki Shikibu, the famed Heian-era author of The Tale of Genji, Shikibu no Mukashi evokes the refined aesthetic and literary elegance of classical Kyoto. The name suggests timeless beauty, subtle depth, and poetic mystery — qualities echoed in the tea’s complex flavor and meditative aftertaste.

☕ Enjoy it

Whether prepared as a luxurious koicha or a well-balanced usucha, Shikibu no Mukashi is a favorite among tea connoisseurs seeking harmony between richness and nuance. Its layered profile pairs gracefully with seasonal wagashi, dark chocolate, or even a quiet morning of stillness.

🏯 About Yamamasa Koyamaen

Since the early Edo period, Yamamasa Koyamaen has perfected matcha cultivation in Uji–Okura, earning 18 tea names from grand masters and multiple national awards. Every step — from cultivar selection to stone‑grinding — is done in‑house to uphold purity and character. The result: matcha that embodies Uji’s essence — a legacy of patience, precision, and spiritual depth in every bowl.