I've posted about the day of black tea
known as “Kocha-no-hi” before. Unfortunately, this is not that popular as much
as Halloween and Christmas…maybe far from them….But those who know it, know it
very very well. Let me write about the day again just to
remind you.
The day is set by Japan Tea Association in 1983 to boost the
consumption of the tea.
When is it?
It’s November 1st, which was considered the very first day when Japanese ever had “black
tea”. The person was a castaway, named Daikokuya Kōdayū. In
1783, his ship drifted on the way to Japan, but managed to escape to the
Russian mainland. People there saved his life and he stayed for a while.He was received in audience by Catherine the Great and obtained permission to return to his country. Finally, he could come home.
He was lucky enough to get the permission, but also invited to her tea party on November 1st, having a cup of tea. This is why the day was chosen as “the day of black tea” in Japan.
I assume he must
have been too nervous to appreciate his, and Japanese “first cup of tea”.
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| Daikokuya Kodayu |
