Explore the Ingredient

Matcha: Matcha, specially grown green tea leaves ground into a fine powder, traces its origins back to the Tang Dynasty in 7th century China. However at that time, the leaves were roasted and pulverized for tea and it was not until the 12th century Song Dynasty when powdered tea became more prevalent. Chinese Zen Buddhists then quickly adopted the drink into their daily rituals for its meditational qualities. In 1191, the famous Zen monk Esai Moyan finally brought the tea leaves and these rituals to Japan. Over the next several hundred years, the tea and the rituals became further refined and widespread, ultimately transforming into the unique Japanese Matcha we know of today. Matcha is made up of two Japanese words: Ma meaning “to rub”, and Cha meaning “tea”.

Explore the Artist

Saki Murakami – Tokyo, Japan

Based out of Tokyo and having graduated from the Kyoto City University of Arts, Saki has been working as a graphic designer with international companies in the music, IT and gaming industries for more than ten years. With years of experience in the field as both an artist and illustrator, her diverse portfolio includes work for Paramount Pictures, Adobe and Samsonite. Primarily using black and white, Saki’s artistic world is one that is full of mystery!

Explore the Artwork

As a Japanese artist I am honored to have designed this wrapper. I drew it integrating traditional Japanese elements that remind me of Matcha—as Matcha itself is very traditionally Japanese. These include Matcha leaves, Carp, Cherry Blossoms, Mt. Fuji, and a Japanese Temple. I also incorporated the Japanese character ’咲’ (to bloom), representing the blooming flavor of Matcha – it is also the character of my first name. I hope that customers who enjoy the flavor will also enjoy the package design! – Saki Murakami

Japanese Koi, Pagoda and Mount Fuji: Prominently featured in the center of the artwork is a koi fish, which is a colorful, ornamental version of the common carp. Although carp domestication can be traced back to 4th century China, modern Japanese koi are thought to date back to the early 1800s when rice farmers in Niigata bred wild, colorful carp. Koi fish are symbolic in Japanese culture, representing luck, prosperity and good fortune.

Behind the koi fish sits a Japanese pagoda, which is a quintessential staple in Japanese Buddhist temples. Japanese pagodas actually derived from the Chinese pagoda, which itself came from the Indian stupa Indian stupas originally were simple mounds containing Buddha’s ashes. After reaching China, the structures grew more elaborate, evolving into a large tower and spreading to Korea and eventually Japan.

Spanning the background is Mount Fuji, the iconic Japanese volcano and tallest mountain in Japan. It is one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. Mount Fuji’s classically symmetrical and snow-capped cone has long been a symbol of Japan and frequently depicted in Japanese art, poetry and literature. The mountain also is important to the Shinto religion, as eight major shrines have been built around its base.