Over the years, I have been drawn further south and farther out to the islands of Japan. When I discovered Tsushima, I felt I should have known about it before. On a map, from afar, Tsushima looks like one, small skinny island in the middle of the sea between Kyushu and South Korea. When you zoom in, you see that Tsushima is actually two main islands and, literally, more than one hundred tiny islands on its coast. It is roughly ninety-percent untouched forest. 

As I explored Oishi Farm as a company and brand, I learned more about Tsushima. They had colorful illustrative packaging, depicting the Tsushima mountain cat and horse. They had a clear identity, which almost always translates into the product itself. As I spoke with Yujiro Oishi, the second generation owner, I learned of his vision, passion, commitments, and struggles. I knew that it would not be easy for him to add exporting to his plate. He runs the company with his wife and limited seasonal and part-time workers. However, I was so impressed by his ability and his vision and we have developed a collaboration which enables him to bring his amazing “koucha,” black tea, to an export market and enables us to have this very special product from this very special place.  

- Henry