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Historical background and origin

The 88th day is the 88th day counting from the beginning of spring, and is one of the days in the Japanese agricultural calendar. The reason this day is considered special is that it is considered the best time to grow crops, as the cold has completely disappeared and there is no risk of frost. In particular, for tea cultivation, it is considered an important day as it marks the beginning of new buds and tea picking. It has long been said that "there will be no frost after the 88th day," and it is cherished as an important turning point in agriculture.

Characteristics of the 88th night tea

Tea picked on the 88th day after harvest is highly nutritious, rich in aroma, and has a good balance of umami and sweetness. The new tea picked at this time is highly valued as the "first harvest" and is considered to be of particularly high quality. This year's tea picked on the 88th day after harvest from Imamura Tea Garden (Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture) is of excellent quality as usual, and has the following characteristics:

  • Vivid green : A color that lets you enjoy the freshness of the new buds.
  • Rich umami : Rich in amino acids, with a deep flavor.
  • Rich aroma : The fresh aroma unique to freshly picked tea.

The special flavor and aroma of Yasohachiya tea makes it an item that many tea lovers look forward to every year.

Culture and customs of the 88th night

Regional Events

Various events and festivals related to the 88th night are held all over Japan. In particular, in tea-producing areas such as Shizuoka Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture, tea-picking events are held on a grand scale, with locals and tourists participating. At these events, you can enjoy the sight of people dressed in traditional tea-picking costumes picking new tea leaves, creating a painting-like scene.

Also, there are unique local customs for the 88th night. For example, in areas with a deep tea culture, there is the custom of singing "tea picking songs" when picking tea leaves, or the ceremony of offering tea to the Shinto altar.

Folk tales and legends

There are many old folk tales and legends about the 88th day of the month. For example, there is a legend that says, "If you drink tea picked on the 88th day of the month, you will be healthy and live a long life." There is also a legend that says, "If you pick tea leaves on the 88th day of the month, the tea leaves will have special powers." Tea on the 88th day of the month has been treated as something special since ancient times.

These folk tales and legends deepen the cultural significance of the 88th night and continue to convey its charm to us who live in the modern day.

Expectations for next year

Now that you know the charm of the 88th night, you will be more excited about next year's 88th night. By starting to prepare little by little now for next year's 88th night, you will be able to enjoy a richer tea time.

Information on new tea from Imamura Tea Farm

This year's new tea, picked on the 88th day after harvest, is now on sale. This year in particular, it has been made using the abundant natural blessings of Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, to produce a wonderful product. Sales of new tea will end once it is sold out, so please take this opportunity to try it.

🌟 New tea product page 🌟

Buy new tea from Imamura Tea Farm

We hope that through the special charm and culture of the Yasohachiya ceremony, you will be able to enjoy Imamura Tea Garden's tea on a deeper level.