GYOKURO TENMEI 30g

• Type: Gyokuro (4 weeks shading)
• Style: Asamushi
• Cultivar: Haruto
• Region: Shibushi, Kagoshima
• Harvest time: April

Despite an unusually warm winter, 2026 turned out to be a successful year, and this time Master Sakamoto decided to create two versions of this tea. In both cases the leaves come from the same plantation, but one is hand-picked and the other machine-picked.

The 2025 harvest was exceptional: the unusually cold but sunny spring was a serious test for many farmers, and a considerable part of the harvest succumbed to frost damage. For Master Sakamoto, however, it was a blessing, an opportunity he had been waiting for his entire life. Thanks to the weather, the tea leaves grew slowly and steadily, reaching maximum quality. Nature allowed him to fully apply his skills and create teas of extraordinary quality, in his own words the finest of his life so far.

Gyokuro Tenmei "Mandate of Heaven" is the highest grade of this noble tea produced by Master Shuichiro Sakamoto. It is even higher than his legendary Gyokuro Tezumi Zen.

The name TENMEI 天命 refers to a life's work and mission bestowed by Heaven. The same "Mandate of Heaven" from which Chinese emperors derived their right to rule. At the same time, TENMEI 天茗 means "Heavenly Tea" - a plant sent from Heaven to aid humankind on their earthly path.

With the traditional four-week shading, Tenmei has an incredibly strong umami that unfolds into a complex, rounded flavor. The aroma is intense and intoxicating – like an approaching typhoon.

This gyokuro is made specifically for aging, and when stored properly, its quality will only improve over time.

Preparation

Ideal for shibori-dashi

 60 ml / 7g      40 °C      120 / 10 / 20 / 25 / 30 sec

Traditionally we use 7g of tea per 60ml of water.
1. Infusion:
Pour in water at 40°C. After two minutes of steeping, drain off every last drop.
2. Pour water of the same temperature over the leaves and pour off immediately.
3. For the next infusions (+-7) pour gradually warmer water and extend the steeping time until you find yourself among the immortals.

We recommend using soft filtered water; among bottled waters, Nartes from Jeseníky works very well.

Packaged directly in Japan in original 50g resealable packaging to maintain maximum quality.