Ito En held the "Ito En Grand Tea Ceremony" at the Kabukiza Theatre in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, on May 16th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its green tea beverage launch.
Ito En launched the world's first canned green tea beverage, "Canned Sencha," in 1985. Its successor, "Oi Ocha," debuted in 1989 and remains a long-selling product enjoying high popularity today.
At the tea ceremony held in the "Hanakago" restaurant on the third floor of the Kabuki-za, Shinbashi geisha prepared matcha using the modern "standing ceremony" style, seated on chairs, to entertain visitors attending the kabuki performance.
Next, Ichikawa Ebizo, currently performing in the Kabuki-za's Dan-kiku Festival May Grand Kabuki, made an appearance. Ebizo, who has served as the commercial character for the "Oi Ocha" series for 15 years, referenced the proverb "Morning tea brings good fortune" used in the new TV commercial "Morning Practice" edition. He emphasized his daily tea habit, stating, "Every morning, after waking up, I prepare and drink matcha."
He commented, "I have strong convictions about the tea ceremony. Everything possesses an aesthetic sense, and I strive to study its charm, atmosphere, and dignity to incorporate into my acting." He also shared an anecdote about presenting his beloved daughter with a tea bowl he personally selected for her first birthday.
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