Before THE SALON ASHIYA was born, it began in a quiet study—a place where I simply served tea to guests and shared stories. I came to believe that true hospitality lies not in rigid form, but in heartfelt presence. This quiet spirit became the foundation for what I now offer to guests from around the world—a moment of connection, sincerity, and refined stillness within a world that rarely pauses. >>>Read More I took my first sip of matcha at the age of two. At four, I whisked my own bowl. At thirteen, I formally began my journey into the world of tea. For over 35 years, every moment has been a continuation of this path. Even in times when my profession had little to do with tea, I now realize—everything was part of the training: a lesson in patience, humility, and refinement.
One phrase from my late mother still lingers in my mind: “The tea you make is always delicious.” Those words shaped my pursuit. I studied the leaves, visited tea farms, discussed soil and harvests with the farmers. I researched water quality, exploring how the subtlest variations could elevate flavor.
I had believed myself unmatched—perhaps the only tea master who had delved this deep. But when my mother passed, and I prepared a bowl of tea for her one last time, I understood how naive I had been. Kneeling before her, my hands trembling, I whisked through tears. That tea—offered in pure love, stripped of ego—was the most exquisite I had ever made.
It was then I truly grasped the essence of tea. It is not simply skill or technique, nor the rarest leaves. It is an expression of the self—of presence, sincerity, and devotion.In the earliest days of what would become THE SALON ASHIYA, I often served tea to guests in my small, book-lined study. There, conversation flowed as freely as the tea itself—intimate, relaxed, and sincere. Once, a Chinese entrepreneur welcomed me into his office and brewed tea for me right at his desk. There was no formality, no ritual—only warmth and a shared moment. I realized how much of that simple intimacy had been lost in modern tea practice.
So I began again. I whisked tea not in pursuit of perfection, but to create a moment of connection—to make matcha feel close, familiar, and alive.
At THE SALON ASHIYA, I practice Zen through tea. I seek the boundless freedom within the art—the understanding that, when stripped of rigid dogma, tea can transcend form while remaining true in spirit. A truly exceptional tea experience is not found in rigid rituals or performance. It is created in a space that honors tradition yet adapts to time, where every sip carries the refinement of its maker, and where the soul of tea reveals itself—one taste at a time.
My mother, a natural hostess, taught me the art of welcoming guests. From her, I inherited not only the techniques of tea, but the deeper lessons—the pursuit of perfection, the joy of sharing, and the silent dialogue that exists between host and guest.
With every bowl I serve, I pour a lifetime of devotion into a single moment. And in this elegant sanctuary, I offer not just a tea ceremony, but an experience beyond time—crafted exclusively for you.
