Ms. Matcha

Madame Matcha

After a few years as an entrepreneur here in Montreal, I wanted to share my expertise as a professional, but also advice and information as an expert and enthusiast of the tea world.

With my company Sakao, I sell a collection of Japanese tea and typical accessories related to the world of this popular drink in my home country, throughout Canada. As an individual, I also like to share my passion for tea, Japanese culture, and family tradition through the tea ceremony called Cha No Yu. For me, these are two niches that go hand in hand and complement each other well. Products and the associated lifestyle—it's a winning duo.

The birth of “Madame Matcha”

I recently decided to adopt the nickname “Madame Matcha.” Of course, that doesn’t mean I only share my passion for matcha; in fact, for me, it primarily signifies a person who represents Japan in general. Because the world of tea goes beyond matcha, though it is very emblematic. Over the years, I have become an expert who enjoys sharing Japanese culture through Cha No Yu. I founded the Montreal branch of the Tea House, originally located in Tokyo, to offer Japanese tea products that I am proud of and to continue the tradition of both my family—I am the 5th generation of this tea house!—and my home country.

Complexity, beauty, sharing: the world of tea in your cup

My mission, as I see it, is not only to introduce tea culture but also Japanese culture more broadly. I sincerely believe that a moment of zen, especially in these pandemic times, is a beautiful gift to give oneself. Creating an occasion, celebrating the beauty of a moment, taking care of oneself—that's what Cha No Yu offers, and no matter where you come from or what you do, that's what I want to strive for and share.

Maison Sakao, a guarantee of quality

We are very demanding about our products. Proud ambassadors of a centuries-old culture and savoir-faire, we work closely with our suppliers, and the excellence of our reputation is essential to us. Moreover, our company logo represents the Sakao family crest, called “Yokomokkou,” which is the design of a sliced gourd or a bird's nest. A crest, Mon (紋), is an emblem used to identify an individual, family, company, or institution in Japan. There are no strict rules, but the chrysanthemum is reserved for the emperor or certain official uses. The 16-petal chrysanthemum, for example, is used on Japanese passports. In practice, the paulownia is also reserved for the Prime Minister's cabinet. For the rest, it is mostly symbolic, usually within a circle, and the design represents a plant, an animal, a celestial object, nature, or a manufactured object. The Mon is comparable to coats of arms in Western societies. Crests began to be used during the Edo period by the Samurai, but from the Meiji era, their use began to spread throughout Japan, particularly for store logos or embroidered on kimonos to identify each kimono.

Let me tell you, we wouldn't have used our "family crest" if we weren't sure of our products! Whether it's through tea, teapots, chasen that I offer in my online store, or tea ceremony services that I provide, I am always eager and happy to see more people interested in my culture of origin.