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
The resistance
The resistance is our internal inertia that keeps us from achieving our goals, dreams and all the good things we strive for. The resistance is what stops us from doing the things we need to do that we know are good for us. It is what makes us hit the snooze button when we …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/the-resistance/
Passing on the spirit of tea
I am again writing with a heavy heart, in that long time head of the Urasenke Tankokai Portland Association, Wako Henjyoji Sensei has passed away. Condolences to her daughter Florence Harada and all the family members at this difficult time.
Henjyoji Sensei was a teacher of not only Chado, but also a Sensei …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/passing-on-the-spirit-of-tea/
Host and guest as one
It was a very busy month for me in January. I hosted an informal chakai, a hango chaji, helped at a student chakai, and was part of the group hosting the Hatsu chakai for the larger Tankokai group. I also attended a student chaji, had 3 presentations of Chado and led a listening to incense …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/host-and-guest-as-one/
The attitude of gratitude
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: https://issoantea.com/the-attitude-of-gratitude/
Doing the work
When I do tea presentations at different venues, I need to set up the tatami, shoji and tea room as well as set up the mizuya. It takes about an hour to pack every thing up and load the car, an hour to heat water, clean and set up at the venue, an hour to …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/doing-the-work/