A Bowl of Matcha, One Sweet, and a Little Taste of Home

One of the things I appreciate most about traditional Japanese tea culture is its simplicity.

In a formal tea gathering, a bowl of usucha is often accompanied by a single small confection. The sweet is enjoyed first, gently preparing the palate before the tea. Together, they create a beautiful balance—one that has been thoughtfully considered for centuries.

Today, my sweet wasn't a handcrafted wagashi.

It was a melon butter mochi from Foodland.

And it was wonderful!!!

Being back home in Hawaiʻi has reminded me that tradition doesn't always have to look exactly the same to honor its roots.

Sometimes it means carrying the spirit of a practice into the place where you are.

For me, that meant pairing Jyoraku Matcha with a local favorite and enjoying the moment exactly as it was.

One teaching from my Urasenkei practice comes to mind often:

Tea invites us to experience contrast.

The sweetness of the confection makes the gentle bitterness and umami of the matcha more vibrant. In return, the tea deepens our appreciation of the sweet.

Life has a way of doing the same.

There's a Japanese proverb that captures this beautifully:

苦あれば楽あり (Ku areba raku ari)
"After hardship comes joy."

Without one, we often fail to recognize the other.

Perhaps that's one reason tea ceremony continues to resonate across generations.

It reminds us that beauty isn't found in avoiding life's bitter moments, but in learning to receive both the bitter and the sweet with gratitude.

Today, that gratitude looked like a bowl of Jyoraku Matcha, a piece of melon butter mochi, and a quiet afternoon in Hawaiʻi.

Sometimes that's more than enough.

HOW TO MATCHA🍵🍃💚✨

One of my favorite things about traditional usucha is how beautifully simple it is.

Unlike many café-style drinks, a traditional bowl requires very little:

• 🍃 2 grams of ceremonial matcha
• 💧 ¼ cup (2 ounces) of water heated to about 175°F (80°C)

Whisk vigorously until smooth and enjoy alongside a small confection.

That tiny bowl has been prepared and appreciated in Japanese tea culture for centuries.

It's a beautiful reminder that abundance isn't always found in quantity.

Sometimes, it's found in presence.

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