Horii Shichimeien

Horii Shichimeien is a tea brand based in Uji, Japan. It was founded in 1879 when the second-generation head, Horii Fusakichi, exhibited a tea named 'Matsukaze' at the first tea competition in Yokohama. The company name derives from the 'Uji Seven Tea Gardens' (Uji Shichimeien), and the brand is dedicated to preserving the only remaining garden, the Okunoyama tea garden, which has a history of over 600 years. The brand is involved in the entire process from cultivation to sales, and also processes and blends teas purchased from farmers.

Horii Shichimeien was founded in 1879 when the second-generation head, Horii Fusakichi, exhibited a tea named 'Matsukaze' at the first tea competition in Yokohama. The company name derives from the 'Uji Seven Tea Gardens' (Uji Shichimeien), which were designated by the Ashikaga shogun during the Muromachi period. The brand preserves the only remaining garden, the Okunoyama tea garden, which has a history of over 600 years. In 1924, the third-generation head, Horii Chōjirō, completed the 'Horii-style Tencha Dryer', which mechanized the production of tencha (powdered green tea base) and was later adopted as the prototype for all tencha dryers in Japan.

1. 1宇治茶 堀井七茗園（ほりいしちめいえん）公式サイトhoriishichimeien.com
2. 2堀井七茗園 7つの物語 - 第1話 - 宇治茶の美味しさとはhoriishichimeien.com
3. 3堀井七茗園 7つの物語 - 第2話 - 宇治茶を育んだ土地の話horiishichimeien.com
4. 4堀井七茗園 7つの物語 - 第3話 - 堀井七茗園の歩みhoriishichimeien.com