Greeting from the 23 generation of Tsuen Jaya in Uji, Kyoto.

I am Ryotaro Tsuen, the 23 generation of Tsuen Jaya. My family has been in Green Tea Business for over 846 years since Heian Period Japan (1160 AD) at the same location on the east side of the Uji Bridge, which is the oldest bridge in Japan (built in 647). There were so many travellers across Uji Bridge which is really important bridge between Kyoto and Nara, then we serve our green tea for them. Also we serve to Monks, Samurai, and Shoguns. Today, we have internet, mailing system and so on, so people can enjoy our green tea anywhere. I would like to serve my green tea wherever also introduce our family history and Japanese culture to people in all over the world. Please enjoy our green tea. Thank you very much.

History of Japanese Green Tea
and Tsuen Jaya Family
in Uji, Kyoto

1160
The 1st Tsuen
The First Tsuen was a retired Samurai named Furukawa Unai whose Samurai name was Tsuen Masahisa. He was a Kashin of Minamoto Yorimasa - a head of the Genji Troop. Around this time, the Uji Bridge was a strategic spot on the only route between Nara and Kyoto, over which the Genji and Heike battled. When he retired, Tsuen Masahisa began serving green tea to tired travellers while working as sentry for the Uji Bridge.

KYOGEN play

1180
In 1180, at the Uji Bridge, there was a huge battle (Ujigawa Battle) between Minamoto (Genji )Troops and Taira (Heike) Troops. Minamoto Yorimasa and Tsuen Masahisa both fought there. Unfortunately, the Minamoto Troops lost so Yorimasa committed ritual suicide "Harakiri" at a special place called "Ougi no shiba" in Byodoin Temple - UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Tsuen Masahisa followed his master Yorimasa's example. That is why their graves are both in the Byodoin and why they are buried close together.

1191
Zen Master Eisai brought green tea seeds from China and planted in Uji.

1192
Yorimasa and the 1st Tsuen's story became one of the KYOGEN play.

UKIYOE picture of the TSUEN Tea Shop beside the Uji Bridge

1338
Around this time, green tea became very popular especially for monks and Samurais.
Since the 1st Tsuen settled at the site by the Uji bridge, Tsuen family succeeded. They served green tea, and take care of the Uji Bridge.

-1445
The 7th Tsuen was a friend of Ikkyu - Zen Monk. 1455, the 7th Tsuen passed away, then Ikkyu came to see him right away, and gave his calligraphy of his Zen words "Ippuku, Issen, Ichige no awa - A foam of one cup (of tea), one penny, one life" to the 7th Tsuen.

The 8th Tsuen was a Tea-Monk, worked for the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
The 10the and 11the Tsuen worked for Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
There is a wooden pail "Tsurube" made by Sen no Rikyu dating back 400 years which was traditionally used to draw water from the Uji river a top small veranda called "San no ma" on the Uji Bridge. This water was then used to make green tea for Toyotomi Hideyoshi the Shogun of 16th Century Japan, who lived in a castle in Fushimi Momoyama, Kyoto, next to Uji area.

1672
The building now you can see of the Tsuen Tea Shop was built in the year 1672. The building of the Tsuen used to be rebuilt each time when the Uji bridge was rebuilt.

1980'
WINNING : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
Yoshikawa Eiji wrote about Tsuen Tea Shop in his novel "MIYAMOTO MUSASHI"

1995
Cafe TSUEN JAYA SAWARABI Open

2001
Tsuen Tea Shop cafe part was remodeled

Tsurube - made by Sen no Rikyu

Statue of the TSUEN sculpted by Ikkyu, Zen Monk