Most commented posts
- Heart to heart connection — 8 comments
- April update, a Midorikai interlude — 6 comments
- Making a good bowl of koicha — 6 comments
- It is harder than it looks — 6 comments
- Seeing things as they are — 6 comments
Author's posts
Save the date
Portland International Tea Gathering
I am planning an International Tea Gathering in Portland, October 15-20, 2025. Save the date. I hope you can join us. Information updates will be posted here: www.sweetpersimmon.com
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/save-the-date/
In gratitude
It is that time of year as the holiday in the U.S. rolls around called Thanksgiving. Most of the time, I am not thinking about giving thanks. Sometimes I like to complain about my life. As I am getting older I find more time to reflect and think about my life. It may sound …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/in-gratitude/
What is tea ceremony about?
It’s about making and drinking tea, and it’s not about tea at all. It’s about arranging flowers and preparing the tea room, or not. It’s about precision and doing things in order, I think. It’s about interaction of host and guest, maybe. It’s about harmony with the seasons, perhaps. Or letting go of …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/what-is-tea-ceremony-about/
Between the Sun and the Moon
We have just concluded Issoan’s 2024 Intensive at the Oregon Coast. Six students spent 4 days of training, study and discussion. The weather cooperated and for three mornings we got up to do chabako tea on the beach between the waning full moon and glorious sun rise kissing the day.…
After tea …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/between-the-sun-and-the-moon/
Silence and stillness
I just came back from Tea and Zen Tea Camp at Tahoma One Drop Zendo. I have never formally studied Zen, though over the years I have sat zazen for tea. At Midorikai there was a temple at Daitokuji whose abbot let us sit in his Zendo before class, but I was a fair weather …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/silence-and-stillness/