I have been working with a journalist from the local arts web magazine on my journey with tea. It is always difficult to gauge how deep to go with someone who has no notion of what Chado is about. We started in January and he told me that he would like to interview me for …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/the-art-of-tea/
Last week, Issoan Tea and students gave a Chanoyu presentation at the Newberg Camellia Festival. It has been more than two years since we did one of these. In many ways, it felt familiar, but also a little scary and a little intimidating.
We have done this particular festival many times, and the organizers have …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/lost-in-temae/
Tsukimi Chakai, moon viewing at Issoan,
The night was clear after a weekend of rain for the moon viewing at Issoan. The chakai was virtual and 15 guests attended.
Guests were escorted through the Nijiriguchi to view the tokonoma. The scroll reads, “Mizu wo kikusureba tsuki te ni ari,” or Scoop water and …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/tsukimi-chakai-at-issoan/
Yesterday for Memorial Day, we had our first virtual chakai at Issoan. The theme was “Then and now.” Since we are still on lock down for the Corona virus in Oregon, we had to do it via Zoom. There were many innovations since the students cannot come to Issoan for lessons, and creative interpretations of …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/first-virtual-chakai-at-issoan/
There is a time in temae, the tea procedure, where the first guest asks the host to haiken the utensils. Haiken means to look closely with appreciation. The etiquette for haiken is to first say “osaki ni” to the next guest before placing the utensil in front of you. First, look at the overall shape …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/how-to-haiken/
