The tradition of Obukucha started when Kuuya Shounin(空也上人), the founder of Rokuharamitsu Temple ( 六波羅蜜寺) in Kyoto, of fered tea to emperor Murakami (村上天皇) in prayer for a quick recovery of the emperor's health. As by wonder, the emperor's sickness disappeared instantly and from this time on, the tradition of Koufukucha (皇服茶), or tea consumed by the emperor, became a local an nual custom.Even today, this custom is conducted at the Rokuharamitsu Temple on early New Year's morning. Drawing the first, fresh water of the New Year, the tea is prepared and offered to the Buddha first, and next, to the worshippers visiting the temple. The tea contains a small pickled plum and a knot of dried kelp and is offered to pray for the people's health during that year. Oobukucha is still partaken at households in and around Kyoto in many variations and is also called by differing names. Oofuku(大服・大福 ), Fukucha (福茶 ), Ofukucha (御服茶), etc. are most commonly encountered. It is usually consumed before celebrating the New Year with a cup of spiced sake. For us, at the Nakamura household, this ceremony has sig nificant meaning in the belief that it helps to evade maliciousness and ensure health for the head of the household, all family members and above all, the happiness of our customers.