Sōkō

October 23rd marks Sōkō (Frost’s Descent), one of the twenty-four solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendar.

As the first reports of frost arrive from the mountains, the chill of the mornings and evenings quietly announces the approaching winter.

Look up into the clear night sky, and another cherished autumn moon comes to mind: Jūsanya, the Thirteenth Night, celebrated alongside the Mid-Autumn Moon. Also known as the Chestnut Moon (Kuri Meigetsu), in honor of the season’s harvest, it forms a pair with the Fifteenth Night (Jūgoya). Together, these two occasions are traditionally known as Futayo no Tsuki, or the Two Autumn Moons.

There is a particular pleasure in holding a warm tea bowl between your hands, breathing in the rising steam as though the moon itself were reflected upon the surface of the tea.

For this season, we have created a special blend to accompany the deepening autumn evenings. Three-year-aged bancha and roasted bancha form the base, layered with black grape leaves, fig leaves, and lemon peel.

The first aroma to gently drift toward you is a smoky fragrance reminiscent of a wood fire, followed by the calm, soothing notes of sandalwood.

On the palate, rich fruitiness reminiscent of tarte Tatin unfolds alongside the deep, rounded sweetness of maple. A fresh, refined woody aroma reminiscent of Japanese hinoki cypress follows, leaving a gentle, lingering finish.

The subtle woodland character of the tea brings a sense of calm, gently easing both body and mind.

As the autumn nights grow longer, enjoy the comforting warmth of a cup of tea and a quiet moment to restore balance, preparing body and mind for the winter to come.