Ōshōgatsu-yō Daifuku (お正月用大福) – New Year Limited Edition is a ceremonial-grade usucha matcha created exclusively for the Japanese New Year celebration by Kanbayashi Shunshō, the legendary 15-generation tea house from Uji, Kyoto with over 460 years of unbroken heritage. This seasonal blend embodies the festive spirit of Oshōgatsu with a medium-bodied, sweet character featuring the signature Kanbayashi toasty-nutty notes, smooth creaminess, gentle sweetness, and no bitterness—making it an approachable yet refined matcha for welcoming the new year with family and friends.

The Ōbukucha (Daifukucha) Tradition:

Daifukucha (大福茶), also known as Ōbukucha, carries over 1,000 years of tradition dating back to 951 AD. During a devastating epidemic in Kyoto, Buddhist priest Kūya distributed special tea to help people recover. Emperor Murakami drank this tea at New Year and was cured, establishing the custom of drinking "Good Fortune Tea" (Daifuku) on the first days of the year for health and prosperity. Originally spelled 皇服茶 (the tea the Emperor drinks), it evolved into 大福茶 (great fortune tea), symbolizing wishes for happiness and good health in the coming year. This sacred tradition continues throughout Japan, where families gather to share tea and usher in blessings for the new year.

Why This Limited Edition Matcha:

• Kanbayashi Signature Character: Light toasty-nutty notes with smooth creaminess—the distinctive flavor profile that has made Kanbayashi Shunshō the sweeter alternative to traditional Uji matcha, beloved by those who prefer gentle, dessert-like character.
• Perfect for: New Year celebrations (Oshōgatsu), holiday gift-giving, ceremonial usucha preparation, matcha lattes, family gatherings during the festive season, and anyone seeking to participate in over 1,000 years of Japanese cultural tradition honoring renewal and good fortune.
• Sweet & Festive Profile: Medium-bodied usucha with no bitterness, gentle astringency, and creamy sweetness—accessible for matcha newcomers while maintaining ceremonial quality that tea practitioners appreciate during special occasions.
• New Year Celebration Tea: Crafted specifically for Oshōgatsu (Japanese New Year)—the most important holiday in Japan where families gather to celebrate renewal, good fortune, and auspicious beginnings with traditional customs and special teas.
• 460+ Years of Mastery: From Kanbayashi Shunshō, established around 1560—the only surviving descendant of the Uji tea masters who served as "Gomotsu Ochashi" (highest rank) to the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, delivering tea to feudal lords.
• Seasonal Limited Availability: Released exclusively from early December through late January—a rare opportunity to experience a matcha blend created for Japan's most sacred holiday, available only while winter stocks last.
• Full-Bodied Usucha: Smooth, light, and pleasantly full-bodied with creamy texture—performs beautifully as traditional usucha or as an indulgent matcha latte, versatile for both ceremony and everyday celebration.
• "Learning from the Past for the Future": Embodies Kanbayashi's company motto—honoring centuries of tea-making tradition while adapting to modern tastes, creating matcha that bridges historical reverence with contemporary enjoyment.
• Meaningful Gift: Perfect for New Year gift-giving, holiday gatherings, and sharing with loved ones—carries wishes of health, happiness, and good fortune in elegant packaging that honors Japanese cultural tradition.