http://www.mingei-wasabidou.com/

Wasabidou Antiques & Folk Crafts, Seattle, WA (2026)

08/15/2026

Mid-summer Greetings. In Japan, it is now the season of Obon, to honor our ancestors. If you practice this tradition, I hope that you are enjoying good times and memories (and good food) with family.

More 2026 Shincha has just arrived, this time over 70kg of teas from Kyushu and Shizuoka! This is probably the tea drop that many of you have been waiting for, as it includes the return of many long-time favorites. There are also, however, some new teas with cultivars that I have not carried before such as Harumoegi, Seimei, and Okuyutaka, which is exciting for a tea nerd like me.

It's still not over for this year, as I'm continuing to taste and select new green and black teas that will be added over the next few months. A selection of excellent Gyokuro and Kabusecha from Yame, Fukuoka, is coming soon, for which I am especially excited! I'll send out my next announcement when they arrive.

Also, all remaining teas from the 2025-2026 season are now on sale at 25% off! Not much left, but some great deals on teas that are still good well into next year.

I do want to mention the powerful 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28th. In some cases, rebuilding was still occurring from the two large earthquakes that hit the same region in 2016. Kumamoto is near and dear to me as I taught a few Intensive English camps at the National Tax Officers University there in the early 2000's.

I've been able to connect with a few tea farmers there, who are thankfully safe, and have just purchased what retail teas I could from them (even though they don't normally ship overseas). When they arrive, they will be offered for sale at the same prices (plus shipping) in their original retail packages, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated back to Kumamoto Earthquake Relief. Two Kumamoto teas in my own inventory are currently on the website and will also be part of the donation. I'm trying to line up the donation procedures for a badly damaged pottery, and a 300+ year-old wagashi shop, both not far from the epicenter, south of Kumamoto City. Stay tuned, as my next announcement will have details on this.

We also have a bit of tea left from Sashima Tea farmer and tea friend Hanamizu Michio, who passed away in June. It's his 2023 Special Roast Izumi WaKoucha/Oolong. If you like a tea with a deep roasted flavor profile, this is a good one. I want to thank all of you who purchased his teas which I made available in July for 100% donation to his wife and young daughter. Hopefully, we can sell these last remaining teas as well to add to the hat.

It's a lot of donation news, and I apologize for that. The areas I've chosen are quite specific; and usually tea, craft, or Japan related. However, as we all know, the need for assistance is widespread globally and locally. If you are in a situation to give to causes dear to you, near or far, I hope that you can do so in any way that you can.

-A NOTE ON TEA SHIPPING: I think that most of you know this, but some may not. For leaf tea (only, does not include matcha or tea wares) shipments over $100, I offer Free Shipping, in the form of a refund of the shipping charge, within the U.S. For smaller orders, up to five packs of tea can fit into a small Priority Flat Rate package, which runs a bit under $14 USD. So, if you are making an order of less than 5 teas, consider ordering up to 5 to spread out the shipping charges. If your order is approaching $100 USD, consider going over $100 to get the shipping charge (currently $24.80) refunded. And, for orders local to me (West Coast), I always try to ship Ground Advantage Mail and refund the shipping charge difference. It's usually less expensive, and arrives in the same amount of time. US Postal Services shipping rates have gone up twice per year since the pandemic, and I have, unfortunately, had to pass on those costs with higher shipping charges. Spreading that shipping cost over a few more teas in an order can really help to reduce the per tea unit cost. That always tastes good.

The other shipping note is that I am still unable to ship internationally at this time. Politics. Ughh! However, for our neighbors in Canada, please email me before trying to order. There are some possible workarounds for this.

Enjoy the waning summer. Yours in tea,
Tatsuo Tomeoka
Charaku Fine Japanese Tea / Wasabidou Antiques & Folk Crafts
www.charaku-tea.com

Clockwise from top left: Rei Matcha & Kingyokukan Sweet, Seimei Sencha Leaf (Kirishima, Kagoshima), Iced Gyokuro, Saemidori Gyokuro (Hioki, Kagoshima.)

04/08/2026

=TEA SALE / SHIPPING DELAY NOTICE= Happy Spring! We hope that wherever you are, you have dug out from the winter snows and are enjoying the blooming cherry blossoms, or other signs of the season.
This is a notice that I have to make a sudden trip to Japan for family matters, and will be away from the business for a few weeks. My last ship date for orders was today, April 8th, and I will resume shipping on April 27th, after my return. Shipments will go out in the order received, so the overall delivery delay could be 2-3 weeks from the time of order.
**In the meantime, I have extended our 20% OFF SALE on WaKoucha, Oolong, Houjicha, and Genmaicha to also include ALL Green (leaf) teas through April 30th. Sencha, Gyokuro, Kukicha, and Karigane will also all be 20% OFF during my absence, for those that don't mind waiting, as a small token of my apology for the delay.
Also, please note that no Gift Boxes or Combination Packs will be available during this time.** Shop now at www.charaku-tea.com
I wish that I could say that this will be a tea and tea ware hunting trip, but unfortunately it is primarily family & personal matters. We will have two days of actual "vacation" near the Japan Sea coast, but the rest is more of a mission to complete some long-overdue family business. However, for me, going to Japan is always somewhat of a "mission" to eat as much good food, and drink as much good tea, as humanly possible. Wish me luck! For those of you who follow me on Face Book (Tatsuo Tomeoka) or Instagram (), I'll try to post regularly on any interesting tea or food related encounters throughout the trip.
Yours in Tea,
Tatsuo Tomeoka
Charaku Fine Japanese Tea / WaSabiDou
REMINDER:
-Free Shipping for US domestic orders (leaf tea only, not matcha) over $100 (shipping charges are refunded back to your payment method.)
-We are, sadly, still unable to ship tea outside of the U.S., with the exception of orders to Canada. For Canadian customers, please send me an email for estimated delivery times. (Canadian leaf tea only orders over $100USD will also receive the US shipping charge equivalent refund.)

03/11/2026

3:11
Today marks the 15-year anniversary of the 9.0 earthquake, and subsequent tsunami, that swept across the Pacific Coast of the Tohoku (NE Japan) region. Nearly 20,000 people were killed, over 2,500 still missing, and still over 25,000 displaced family households living in public housing.

Plum trees are said to be the first to bloom after the long harsh winter. This sweet symbolizes a hope that with each passing winter, more blossoms will see more healing for the region.

The tea bowl is vintage Soma-yaki, a bowl previously owned by my uncle, who was working in Fukushima in the mid-1900's. While the running horse is a common motif in Soma/Obori Soma pottery, this piece was part of a commissioned lot that features an image of Kannon-sama, the Goddess of Mercy, in the well of the bowl. I find it appropriate when I use it this time of year.

Prayers for those affected then, and those still being affected now. 🙏

03/02/2026

NEW YEAR OF THE HORSE ITEMS & HOT TEA SALE!
While Japan rings in the New Year by the Gregorian Calendar, many Asian countries and cultures celebrate by the Lunar Calendar. We've just past that point, so I think that I can finally officially wish everyone a very Happy New Year of the Fire Horse!
In doing so, I'm happy to currently offer a number of horse-themed items from my own collection; some brand new, and a few very vintage that have been in the family for over half a century. There are horse-decorated Tea Bowls from Kyoto, Tea Cups from Fukushima, and a few craft items from my family's Tohoku (NE Japan) collection of Folk Toys. I'm getting back to my Mingei (folk craft) roots with these.
In addition, I'm also having a sale of up to 20% OFF on WAKOUCHA (Japanese Black/Oolong Teas), HOUJICHA, and GENMAICHA. Although we passed Risshun, the traditional start of spring in Japan according to the ancient calendar, I know that many of you are start battling severe winter weather. Our teas that brew best at hotter temperatures are now on sale. This includes our selections of Black, Oolong, Houji, and Genmai Teas. Get 'em while they're hot (and while supplies last)!
SHOP HORSE ITEMS AND TEAS NOW AT www.charaku-tea.com
Our green tea (Sencha, Gyokuro, Kukicha, etc.) line-up is also available, as always, including a BRAND-NEW GYOKURO from Shibushi, Kagoshima, just added recently. However, as we progress into the 2025-2026 season, some teas are now starting to sell out. If you have a favorite from this past season, now would be a good time to order as tea availability for the 2026-2027 season is still yet to be determined. Like last year, there will most likely be some new tea selections, and some current ones that may not be back.
A few last business notes:
-1. As always, we're offering Free Shipping (U.S. Domestic) on Tea Leaf Only orders over $100. Shipping is still charged at check-out, but I'll refund the charge back to your payment method right away.
-2. We had to sadly discontinue International (outside of the U.S.) shipping last October, and that policy is unfortunately still in effect. The unfair economic policies of the current U.S. administration have created too much havoc with postal and customs restrictions and procedures around the world. It has gotten to the point that we can no longer ship packages from the U.S. to other countries with confidence that they will not be returned, or that customers will not have to pay high or incorrect retaliatory taxes to claim them. I am truly sorry for this current situation as I would like nothing more than to continue serving our many international tea friends. Hopefully, this situation will be remedied soon!
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE A CANADIAN CUSTOMER, please feel free to contact me directly by email to place an order as I travel to Canada quite frequently and have been getting orders to customers that way this past year.
-3. The Feb. 20 U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring the current administration's tariffs as illegal gave us a glimmer of hope that things might be getting better soon. However, "alternative" tariffs were immediately applied and absolutely no one seems to know if the exemptions for tea (coffee, cocoa, etc.) mandated on Nov. 13, 2025, are still in effect, or if we are back to paying tariffs again on tea. FYI: customs brokers have continued to charge tariffs on tea even after the November exemptions and many tea merchants (including me) are still waiting for restitution for those charges. In short, the hope is that tea prices and shipping logistics from Japan will be better for this summer's new tea harvest. Still, the ways things are going, no one knows for sure what will happen. Please keep your fingers crossed!
Happy "Almost Spring"!
Tatsuo
www.charaku-tea.com
Clockwise from top left: Vintage Yawata Uma (wooden folk horse), Aomori Prefecture; Akaraku Uma Eto Chawan (Red Raku Zodiac Horse Tea Bowl) by Waraku Kiln, Kyoto; Vintage Chaguchagu Uma (wooden folk horse) from Iwate Prefecture; New for 2026, overglaze enamel Kyo-yaki Eto Uma Chawan (Kyoto ware Zodiac Horse Tea Bowl) by Morish*ta Shusai, Kyoto.

11/25/2025

CHARAKU FINE JAPANESE TEA 2025 Winter Tea & Tea Ware Sale!
All Leaf Teas 15% off + Select Japanese Tea Wares 10% off!

Winter Greetings!
No matter what holidays you celebrate this time of year, I hope that you are doing so with friends, family, joy, and tea! To thank you for another year of sharing Japanese tea and crafts, we're giving a 15% discount on all leaf teas and a 10% discount on select Japanese tea wares and crafts from now through January 4th, 2026. A great opportunity to stock up on your favorite teas, try new teas; or to acquire new tea pots, tea cups, tea bowls, &/or tea accessories (including several tea cups, tea bowls, and vases by Pacific NW potter, George Gledhill)!

Remember that we have LOTS of new teas this year across all varieties: Green, Roasted, Black, and Oolong Japanese Teas, and from regions all across Japan. We also have new Gift Boxes (Kagoshima Tea varieties, Japan Sencha varieties, & Nakaisamurai Tea), as well as some regional (Gifu, Ibaraki, & Shizuoka) combination packs.

*Donation Opportunity*: On tea leaf (only) purchases, we are also providing an opportunity to donate 15% of proceeds to Ayame Kai, the volunteer auxiliary of Keiro NW that raises funds and supports programs at Nikkei Manor. Just note "Ayame Kai" in the comments section of your tea order. For those of you living in Seattle, or in the Pacific NW region, you may be familiar with the long history of Keiro NW. Over 50 years ago, locals in the Japanese-American community responded to the needs of aging Issei (first-generation Japanese-Americans) to develop a nursing home to meet the cultural, social, language, and dietary needs of the elderly Nikkei (Japanese-American) community. Although the original facility no longer exists; Keiro NW now operates Nikkei Manor, an Assisted Living facility still in the heart of Seattle's International District that continues to serve the Japanese-American community.

Reminders:
-Free Shipping for US domestic orders (leaf tea only) over $100 (shipping charges are refunded back to your payment method).
-For U.S. Domestic shipping arrival by December 25th, orders need to be shipped by December 17th. However, the sale continues through January 4th for New Year's orders with continuous (Mon-Sat) daily shipping.

Two less happy news notes:
-We've had to temporarily suspend international shipping services outside of the U.S. due to new food import restrictions and tariffs for which the individual regulations in each country have become too difficult and expensive to keep up with. We apologize for the inability to continue serving our long-time international tea friends, and hope that the situation changes for the better in the future.
-We're hearing that Matcha prices are again expected to rise early in the new year. We definitely do not encourage hoarding Matcha, but if you are planning to place a Matcha order this winter, it's probably better to do so before December 31st.

Warmest wishes to you & yours for the season,
Tatsuo Tomeoka
Charaku Fine Japanese Tea / Wasabidou Antiques & Folk Crafts
www.charaku-tea.com

08/27/2025

It's been a long summer, and a long wait for this year's new teas, due to the worldwide matcha boom causing havoc in this year's tea supply and pricing. I appreciate all of your patience as I've tasted nearly a hundred teas this summer to find and make new selections to offer. I'm happy with the results, and most all new teas have now arrived. There are a few stragglers that are expected in during the coming few weeks, so please watch the website for more new teas.

For now, we have several new teas from all over Kyushu (Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and Saga Prefectures); Shizuoka Prefecture (Asahina, Fujieda, Honyama, and Kawane); Sayama Teas from Saitama Prefecture, and Tosa Tea from Kochi Prefecture. Plus, we also have some new teas from areas that are not very well-known even among tea drinkers in Japan; Nakaisamurai Teas from Nagano Prefecture, Sashima Teas from Ibaraki Prefecture, Goka Teas from Higashishirakawa in Gifu Prefecture, and a long-time favorite of mine, Murakami Teas from Niigata Prefecture, the most northern area of mid-scale tea production in Japan. While we have both green (Sencha, Gyokuro, etc.) and black (WaKoucha) teas from all-regions, our new Sashima Teas also include some great black teas that are much more Oolong-like in character. I hope that you'll be able to try them all. Shop all teas at www.charaku-tea.com

Unfortunately, this year I was not able to source many of the teas that have become favorites over the years. However, the good news is that there are so many great new teas to try, and I hope that you enjoy tasting them as much as I have.

We also have lots of new Tea Wares and Tea Accessories in stock. Some previously sold out items have been restocked, but we have lots of new pots as well. In addition to a fine selection of Tokoname-ware Tea Pots, we've also added Banko-ware (from Mie Prefecture) and Hasami-ware (from Nagasaki Prefecture) items.

As mentioned in my last announcement, Matcha prices are on the rise, with auction prices this spring and early summer sometimes doubling, or more, from the prior year's prices. I still have some Matcha inventory stocked up at previous pricing. When this is gone, slightly higher pricing will go into effect. Nobody hoarded (like many tourists are doing in Japan), and I so very much appreciated that. My tea friends are the best!

One more word on pricing: Tariffs. Ugh! While I had worked hard to get all of this year's teas in before the August 1st deadline, and then smaller shipments in before the August 29th de minimus exemption cancellation deadline, it was just not possible on the Japan shipping side. While it has been painful to pay these ridiculous fees that are not helping anyone in this industry, I also can't see spreading that pain around to people who just want to drink good tea from other countries. So, I'm not passing those costs on to customers for as long as I can, and hopefully the politicians will come to their senses and get rid of them in the future.

One final piece of tea-related news. The former (XV) head of the Urasenke Tea School, Daisosho Sen Gensh*tsu (sometimes referred to by his Buddhist name, Hounsai) passed away on August 14th, at the age of 102. While I am not a formal Chado (The Way of Tea, aka "Tea Ceremony") practitioner, I do have great respect for the mission that Hounsai spent much of his life pursuing through his platform as the hereditary leader of the largest tea school in Japan. He very much internationalized The Way of Tea, and also promoted a philosophy of "Peace through a bowl of tea." For his efforts, he was recognized by the Japanese Government (the first person of tea to receive the Cultural Order of Merit), the French Government (awarded the Legion of Honor), the UN and UNESCO, Rotary International, and the list goes on and on. If you look him up on-line, you will see many memorials and resources about his interesting life and many accomplishments.

If you feel so inclined, the next time you raise a cup or bowl of tea, please keep "Peace" in your heart and in your mind, in recognition of not only Dr. Sen Gensh*tsu's legacy, but also to acknowledge of all the people past and present who have worked to bring the special gift of tea to us to enjoy today. It crosses cultures, religions, and borders, and will hopefully bring some inner peace to those who drink it, and social peace to those who share it.

Yours in Tea, and Gassho,
Tatsuo Tomeoka
Charaku Fine Japanese Tea / WaSabiDou

REMINDER:
Free Shipping for US domestic orders (leaf tea only, not matcha) over $100 (shipping charges are refunded back to your payment method). International orders will receive the US shipping charge equivalent refund.

08/13/2025

It has been a while since I've posted any kokeshi images, probably because it's been a while since I've dusted off the kokeshi. 🧹☺️

08/12/2025

Tried out a new wagashi form that I recently saw done on-line from Kyoto Wagashi shop Kameya-Yoshinaga. I didn't trim it nearly, so it's got more of a homemade look, but it tasted fine and my daughter's eyes lit up when she saw "watermelon" on a hot summer's day. I think that's the point of Japanese sweets; excite with the eyes first, and then to evoke a seasonal emotion or nostalgic memory.

The bowl is a "badarai" (horse-washing basin) shape, "kakewake" (split glaze), "natsujyawan" (summer tea bowl), with "su-in" (multiple stamps) decoration, by Sasaki Shoraku.

Whisking Matcha in this low and wide shape was challenging at first for me and took a little practice to make a nice bowl of tea. I still need much more practice. Making matcha is a "way" that has no end.
Charaku Fine Japanese Tea .

07/08/2025

Happy Tanabata Day! In most of Japan, Tanabata is celebrated today (7/7); while in my mother's home town of Sendai, a massive festival is held from August 6-8 each year.

This photo was from last year's Tanabata. I made a Kanten (gelatin) Sweet using Butterfly Pea Tea, to create a night sky background. Two pieces of edible silver leaf represent Altair and Vega, the lovers separated by the Milky Way that meet once a year at Tanabata. The wide celadon tea bowl (hira chawan) is carved into a lotus leaf shape, perfect for summer.

It's a time in Japan to write wishes on strips of paper tied to bamboo branches. May all your wishes come true!

06/29/2025

2025 Shincha (New Harvest Tea) is trickling in slowly this year. I just received our shipment of Sayama-cha, teas from Saitama Prefecture, and they are now available on the website.

We have the same fine Ichou (Withered) Sencha from Bizenyacha that we've carried the past few years, plus a new one (pictured) this year. Shirahagi Sencha is steamed, then very lightly roasted, producing a smooth mellow tea with sweet notes and low astringency. It's delicious!

My good fortune continued this week when a friend returning from Japan gifted us this monaka sweet from Taneya, a well-known historic sweet shop. The sweet chunky bean paste with mochi comes separate from the crispy wafer monaka. Spread it yourself and enjoy with a delicious cup of Shirahagi Sencha!

www.charaku-tea.com

Wasabidou Antiques & Folk Crafts

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