A new celebration gesture is taking the 2026 World Baseball Classic by storm: the “tea whisking pose” performed by Japan’s national baseball team, Samurai Japan. But where did it come from — and what does it have to do with traditional Japanese tea ceremony? Read on to find out.
What Is the “Tea Whisking Pose”?
During the 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic), Samurai Japan debuted a new team celebration gesture that quickly went viral: the tea whisking pose. The move was created by pitcher Koki Kitayama (26) of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
It all started when Shohei Ohtani challenged Kitayama to come up with a new team celebration and present it the following day. Kitayama spent nearly sleepless nights thinking it through before landing on the idea of Japanese tea ceremony — specifically, the motion of whisking matcha with a chasen (bamboo whisk).
His reasoning? “We’re competing on the world stage, so I wanted something rooted in Japanese tradition. I’m from Kyoto, and matcha is what we’re known for.”
His first idea — simply pretending to drink tea — was rejected by Ohtani. After more thought, Kitayama arrived at the whisking motion, and the pose was born.
The Clever Wordplay Behind the Pose
What makes this pose more than just a fun gesture is the wordplay embedded in it. In Japanese, “to whisk tea” is written with the character 点 (ten) — the same character used in 点数 (tensuu), meaning “score” or “points.” Kitayama described it as “whisking around the diamond to score points” — a pun that delighted fans and sparked widespread praise on social media.
How to Do the Tea Whisking Pose
The gesture itself is simple: mimic the motion of whisking matcha by moving your dominant hand in a quick stirring motion while your other hand cups beneath it — just like you’re holding a tea bowl. When Samurai Japan players round the bases after scoring, this is the move you’ll see them make.
Why Did It Go Viral?
In the 2023 WBC, Samurai Japan became famous for the “pepper mill” celebration, which spread across Japan and beyond. The tea whisking pose is following in those footsteps — but with an even deeper cultural resonance. Rooted in the centuries-old tradition of Japanese tea ceremony, and layered with a clever linguistic twist, the gesture resonated with fans both inside and outside Japan as a symbol of Japanese culture and creativity.
Want to Try the Real Thing? Experience Authentic Matcha in Tokyo
Watching Samurai Japan whisk their way to victory might just inspire you to try the real thing. The pose was inspired by the traditional Japanese tea ceremony motion of whisking matcha — and it’s something anyone can experience for real.
At GreenTeaTokyo, we offer hands-on matcha experiences led by professional tea instructors. No prior knowledge of tea ceremony is required — just curiosity and an open mind.
- Whisk your own bowl of matcha from scratch, just like Samurai Japan
- Enjoy your matcha with traditional Japanese sweets
- All tea utensils, matcha, and sweets are provided — no preparation needed
- Available at your location: offices, hotels, event venues, and more
- English-speaking staff available
Our mobile tea ceremony service comes to you — ideal for corporate team-building, private groups, sports events, or welcoming international guests with an authentic taste of Japanese culture.
👉 Learn more about our on-site matcha experience
Final Thoughts
Samurai Japan’s tea whisking pose is more than a fun celebration — it’s a window into Japanese culture, tradition, and the art of matcha. Thanks to Kitayama’s creativity and Ohtani’s challenge, tea ceremony is now in the spotlight on the world’s biggest baseball stage. Why not take that inspiration further and experience the real thing for yourself?
