Sakura Sencha is a traditional Japanese Cherry Blossom Greet Tea which is soupy, floral, and naturally sweet. Breathe it in and experience the comforting embrace of Sakura Sencha.

This tea is released as a tea pairing with Leon Todd Johnson to celebrate his latest CD wa kei sei jaku, Johnson takes that morning tea ritual in a more intentional and explicit direction. In addition to a limited-edition tea collaboration with Cincinnati-based Wendigo Tea, wa kei sei jaku reflects on the four core principles of the Japanese tea ceremony:

• Wa (和): Harmony or unity

• Kei (敬): Respect or reverence

• Sei (清): Purity or cleanliness

• Jaku (寂): Tranquility or silence

For many, the ECM- and Windham Hill-influenced, neo-classically inflected jazz of airport people’s from nine mornings became an essential part of their morning ritual.  Johnson weaves these principles into the music, incorporating samples from his own morning tea ceremonies as textural sound beds and percussive elements. wa kei sei jaku is a beautiful album. Fans of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Keith Jarrett should find a lot to love here. Same with fans of slow mornings on the back porch.