ABOUT THE MAKER
Kanbayashi Shunsho | 上林春松本店 | Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
The Kanbayashi Shunsho family, an esteemed Uji tea producer, has cultivated a legacy over fifteen generations since the Eiroku era (around 1560). This journey began with Kamon no Jo Hisashige, who moved from Kanbayashi Township in Tanba to Uji and established himself as a prominent figure in the tea industry. As the leading tea master in Uji, he played an integral role in both production and distribution. During the Edo period (1603-1867), he held the title of “Gomotsu Ochashi,” the highest tea master rank, and supplied tea to the shogunate and influential feudal lords.
Around the Meiji era, under the leadership of the 11th generation Shunsho, the family expanded its offerings to include “gyokuro” and “sencha,” two newly popular teas of the time, and became well known as a high-quality tea house.
Today, the Kanbayashi Shunsho family proudly stands as the sole remaining descendant of the Uji tea master lineage, with a rich history spanning over 450 years. They guide their commitment to crafting high-quality tea, preserving a tradition and spirit that have endured for centuries.
