Gifts for Matcha Lovers

Coffee? Tea? Or matcha? In the past couple of years, matcha has gradually gained recognition as the new beverage choice following the usual coffee or English tea. The vibrant green color is soothing, the taste is mildly bitter with rich, sweet aroma similar to cacao, and the health benefits are optimal.

It’s become readily available and has incorporated itself not just as a beverage pick, but also as a new flavor choice. You can have a matcha latte, a scoop of matcha ice cream or some matcha cookies.

But a true matcha lover will want to enjoy it in its true form. A frothy bowl of warm, whisked matcha is the authentic way to savor the rich and aromatic flavors.

Here are some gift choices for a friend or family member who is a known-matcha lover. We’ve chosen authentic items used to make tea with ceremonial grade matcha with all items being beautifully made with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

This matcha bowl is decorated with jumping rabbits and a full moon painted in gold. The motif of the moon with rabbits is a design well-seen in Japanese crafts. On a night with a full moon, rabbits can be seen pounding mochi with a mortar and pestle on the moon(the craters look like rabbits) according to Japanese folklore.

The warmth and comfort comes through the rich thickness of the bowl that is handcrafted on a pottery wheel. It has a short and stable footing and fits comfortably in one hand. Give the gift of comfort and enjoyment with this matcha bowl to a special someone who has a deep appreciation for matcha.

This Matcha bowl combines the warmth of handcrafted stoneware with the beautiful Hanazume style. Hanazume which means “filled with flowers” is one of the most notable designs of Kutani ware which dates back to the Taisho period (1912–26).

The Hanazume design is applied only to the front side of the bowl, providing a contrast of the blooming flowers against the chic gray color. The gold outlines highlight the floral pattern and the white coloring give a three-dimensional look to the chrysanthemum.

With the traditional feel and festive design, this matcha bowl will be a long-time favorite to a matcha connoisseur.

The image of autumn in Japan is beautifully depicted on this Kutani matcha bowl chawan. The front side and the inner rim of the chawan are painted with maple tree leaves in a variety of autumn colors. You can almost hear the rustling of the leaves as each leaf is painted with care. The golden leaves, which are a specialty of Ishikawa Prefecture, add light and elegance to the minimalist shape and subdued color scheme of the matcha bowl.

This bowl is light and easy to hold and is shaped to easily whisk matcha. It fits comfortably on the palm of one’s hand and is just the right thickness to feel the warmth of the tea.

This matcha bowl would be the perfect gift for a friend who enjoys the beauty of the seasonal changes in Japan. A great item that shows the fine craftsmanship of Japanese artisans and the beauty of a Japanese autumn.

This luxurious handmade matcha bowl features the gorgeous "Hanazume" design, the classic design of Kutani ware. An assortment of flowers are painted with great detail with gold linings. When you hold the bowl, as a thicker white paint is used to outline the petals, you can feel the design of the chrysanthemum with your fingers.

The tiny dots on the black base are called “chibu” which literally means “dot” and is another traditional pattern used on Kutani ware. This technique requires a great amount of skill as all the dots need to be the same size, and in the same color and spaced out evenly.

The light color used for the inner side of the chawan highlights the vivid green of the matcha and the smooth and thin rim makes it easy to drink the tea.

For a matcha lover who adores floral designs, this would be the perfect choice.

This item is a must-have for a true matcha lover.

Matcha containers are called “natsume” which means date fruit in English as the “natsume” has a rounded elongated shape similar to a date. These containers are used to store sifted matcha powder and is an essential item used when making matcha with ceremonial grade matcha.

This "natsume" is painted with the auspicious motif of pine trees, bamboo and plums, bringing good luck and longevity. The shiny red lacquer further adds to the festive atmosphere.

Make someone’s matcha drinking experience a bit more special by adding this unique item to their tea set collection.

A charming little tea canister designed in the shape of a persimmon. The reddish-brown lacquer coating brings out the beautiful grain of the wood.

The woodgrain of the lid and the bottom are a perfect match, giving the persimmon shape a sense of roundness.

The smooth shape and details are elaborately crafted by Yamanaka lacquerware's woodworking technique.The double-lid can help protect the matcha from the humidity and help maintain its aromatic flavor. And the stem of the persimmon makes it very easy to open the lid.

Quite an eye-catching decorative item, this canister adds one more element of enjoyment when making matcha.

One more must-have item that is a great gift for a matcha specialist.

The "Chashaku" tea scoop from Yatsuyanagi is a spoon-shaped tea utensil used for scooping sifted matcha into a “natsume” or from the “natsume” to a matcha bowl.

At first glance, it looks like a long spoon almost like a swizzle stick, but this “chashaku” is one of the most important tea utensils that represents the values and personality of the person serving the tea.

The simple, unadorned design allows you to appreciate the beauty of the cherry bark work. A special gift for the matcha specialist.

The making and drinking of matcha is an artform and involves many elements. One of which is decorating the space in which the tea will be served with a simple floral decoration.

This beautiful Japanese vase is decorated with a golden leaf from Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture using a technique called "Kinsai", a remarkable technique of Kutani ware.

The golden leaf adds a sense of elegance, making it a special art piece.Place one branch of a tree or a stem of a simple flower in season such as plum blossoms or irises into the vase and enjoy the beauty of nature along with a warm bowl of matcha.

"Ikebana" is the Japanese style of floral arrangement where flowers and branches are held in place with a Kenzan(flower frog) in a vase. What is distinctive about “ikebana” is that the floral arrangement has a front side and all the flowers and branches and greenery are placed maintaining their natural shape and curve.

This uniquely shaped vase has a rustic charm with a slightly rough texture that conveys the warmth of the clay. The striking design makes it easy to enjoy ikebana without having to have to be a floral arrangement master.

Shigaraki ware is a Japanese stoneware produced in the area around the town of Shigaraki, Koga City, Shiga Prefecture. As Shigaraki ware vases enhance the natural colors of flowers and greeneries, they are highly popular in the world tea ceremonies.

A great gift for someone who appreciates items with an earthy touch, this vase will be a great surprise with its one-of-a-kind shape and earthy texture.

Bamboo is considered to be an auspicious tree and symbolizes prosperity because of its fast growth and flexibility.

The front of the vase is decorated with a bamboo-made "Mizuhiki", a decorative knotted string usually attached to gifts and envelopes on festive occasions.

The tall, straight design depicts the actual shape of a bamboo tree. The thin vertical bamboo straws are lined up evenly, and the bottom of the vase is decorated with a bamboo-woven material.

Suruga Bamboo Basketry located in the area around Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture has been producing traditional bamboo crafts for over 400 years and was designated as a national traditional craft in 1976.The vase comes with a black, movable cylinder that is slightly smaller than the actual vase, so you can make small adjustments on where you want to place the flowers within the vase.

The modern and sophisticated vase brings a sense of calmness and serenity to the table, essential elements needed to relax with a warm cup of matcha.

Matcha can be more appreciated with specialized utensils to expand the world of matcha even further. We recommend these items not only as a gift for friends and family known to be a Matcha-lover, but also for yourself.

Giving a gift of wonderful handmade matcha tableware is sure to convey your wish that they will have a wonderful and relaxing moment!