Shigarakiyaki, essentially, is the unique art of producing pottery without the use of glaze, as with common pots. The pots are heated in kilns in temperatures of up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in a firm cling of the firewood ash on the surface. The ash wraps the pottery like a coat of glaze, and comes in a myriad of colours such as pale yellow, brown and light green.

Because of the characteristic deep taste produced when brewed in Shigarakiyaki pottery, 16th century tea-lovers popularized the use of their products for tea ceremonies. This has continued to be a firm favourite with anyone who wishes to indulge themselves in authentic Japanese style of tea drinking.

Matsuo Bashou, the most renowned of poets during Japan’s Edo period, had composed a poem in praise of the Asamiya tea. The master of the cooperative poetry, haiku, wrote: ki ga kurete chatsumi mo kiku ya hototokizu.

He was most likely visiting a tea plantation when inspiration struck, as he watched the workers harvest the leaves off the tree and was overwhelmed with a sense of tranquility at the scene around him. Loosely translated, it means that when one sipped the Asamiya tea, calmness will envelope the person and he will feel at peace. Such is the potency of the humble Japanese tea; take a sip and tea drinking will never be the same again.

How to make yourself a cup of green tea

1. Bring water to a boil (about 60 degrees Celcius)
2. Pour into water pot, and then transfer the hot water to strainer filled with appropriate amount of tea leaves (about 2-4 grams per cup)
3. Allow it steep for about 1-2 minutes
4. When the tea leaves begin to unfold, the tea is ready to be poured out
5. Enjoy a cup of nutritious green tea