Green Tea Forum

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

My first response was Kevin was just being a typical vendor, (and nothing wrong with that, you just have to take them with a grain of salt sometimes) but he was aboslutely right about Rishi's sencha taking the slow, slow boat from Japan to get here, so I'm not going to make the mistake of thinking that again.

That being said, the service and products from Artistic Nippon has been phenomenal, so I'll wait and see what happens. If my whisk wears out on me, then I'll know I was sold a piece of crap

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

The spoon is never going to wear out so it doesn't really matter where it's made. However, Japanese made whisks usually have an authentication sticker on them and the Chinese one's do not. Nearly all of the Japanese whisks are made in Takayama village outside of Nara. The one in the photo looks Chinese to me, I don't see the sticker but perhaps it's Japanese. If it's Chinese it will work fine, it probably won't last as long however. My first whisk was Chinese, it wore out pretty quick.

I could order whisks from China for $5 and sell them for $9 and still make a nice profit from it but it would be a break away from our policy of carrying 100% authentic Japanese items. If it gets to the point where I can't remain competitive then perhaps I'll have to start doing that. I mainly mention this because by taking a look at the price of our whisks, it may give the appearance that we are way over priced. They're expensive because they are authentic handmade items.

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

Kevin, you have a good eye, cos you're right.

I received an email from Yoshikawa san of Artistic Nippon last night. After hearing about this thread, he double checked with hit supplier, and sure enough, they came from China.

He was very apologetic and is offering a full refund and doing his best to rectify the situation.

Because the price was lower, I feel it was fair. It just means at some point I'll be shopping for a chasen again.

Wow, Kevin, you do know your stuff.

Chip · Posted: Nov 03, 2007 1:11 am Post subject:

I am impressed...

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I have a brand new Chinese whisk and a brand new Takayama tea whisk, neither out of the plastic case. If you put them side-by-side, you can see that the Japanese item has thicker prongs, maybe I'll take a photo. Anyway, we called the maker today to ask him about this (we currently purchase his lowest cost whisk - he makes 120 different types) and he told us as much.

The Chinese whisks will work, just not as long. I only point this out because I don't want to give the impression that we are overcharging. Nearly all of the other shops carry these Chinese whisks and I can see where it would give that impression.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!!!!

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

BryanP · Posted: Jul 19, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

Uji Matcha "Kiri no Mori"

Just purchased some Kiri no Moro for my first matcha. I was researching on some cheap matchas that have a sweet flavor to it and by reading some reviews and reading samurai's blog, I decided on getting this over the Matcha Kaoru.

Kevin himself also noted that he prefers it over the organic Kaoru so I will take his word for it.

I will try both though so I can establish my own views about them. As I better my palette, I hope to try the expensive black can.

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

I realize this thread is now a bit old, but I wanted to add that I buy from two vendors, O-Cha and A.N. (for anyone confused, yes, this is an abbreviation). Like O-Cha, AN has always been great (meaning honest, open, and willing to back up what is sold), so I wanted to pass along that they now offer two choices on whisks each clearly marked made in China or made in Japan. Mistakes do happen and I am happy to have two great vendors available to me. Thanks Kevin...

If I'm buying tea and happen to need a whisk or scoop, I order it with O-Cha. If I'm buying a new pot or whatever from AN, and I happen to need some "incidental" item, I order it then and there. Few people are going to order only a whisk - it just wouldn't make economical sense to pay the shipping cost if you're not buying something else at the same time. So those incidental sales will likely even out over time.

Finally, while I realize both offer pots and cups, etc., I don't see a whole lot of overlap. The larger purchase items they sell - pots and cups - are very, very different. It's not like they're selling the exact same items...

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179