It is not often that I get to be a guest at a Chakai. So when I was invited by my friend Christopher Ezzell to a Chakai, I was thrilled and delighted. Christopher lives on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, about a three hour drive from my house. Since I had not been …
Permanent link to this article: http://issoantea.com/chakai-at-the-tea-house-of-the-winter-moon/
Broken things can be mended, to be made stronger and more beautiful. In the darkness, there is a light to guide your way. In winter, the turn of year will eventually bring the spring. What troubles you today, will pass.
Here we are at the turn of the year 2020. For so many …
Permanent link to this article: http://issoantea.com/at-the-turn-of-the-year/
Here we are at the winter solstice of 2019. Right now the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a category 3 Or 4 Atmospheric River described as a long, narrow plume of tropical moisture carrying intense rainfall across the atmosphere like a river in the sky. “These columns of …
Permanent link to this article: http://issoantea.com/the-turn-of-the-year/
When we receive a bowl of tea, the etiquette is that we say “osaki ni” to the next guest, thank the host for making the tea, and lift the bowl in “kansha” or gratitude before we turn the bowl and drink the tea.
This kansha is not just gratitude for host making tea. It is …
Permanent link to this article: http://issoantea.com/the-attitude-of-gratitude/
We are coming down to the end of the year, when the days run shallow and the nights long, we look forward to the return of the light at the winter solstice. A good gomei for these times is: Yonaga – long night.
Already I am becoming nostalgic for the year of the sheep. As …
Permanent link to this article: http://issoantea.com/2374-2/
