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  1. Heart to heart connection — 8 comments
  2. April update, a Midorikai interlude — 6 comments
  3. Making a good bowl of koicha — 6 comments
  4. It is harder than it looks — 6 comments
  5. Seeing things as they are — 6 comments

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Issoan Hatsugama rescheduled

Issoan Hatugama will not take place on Saturday, due to snow, freezing rain and temperatures in teens predicted for this weekend.  Everyone stay home, stay warm, stay safe.  We will reschedule Hatsugama to February 10, the Lunar New Year.  Hope to see you then.

Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/issoan-hatsugama-rescheduled/

Happy New Year in poetry

Six poets gathered on New Year’s Day 2024 at Issoan to celebrate the New Year.   We shared sake, tea tasting, snacks, matcha, sweets, lunch and incense appreciation  during the day while composing a 28 stanza linked verse.  I hope you like the entire poem.

Earth slowly rises From winter slumber In the sunshine …

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Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/happy-new-year-in-poetry/

Running down to the end of the year

As we approach the solstice it seems like I am running downhill as things accelerate. Holiday plans, travel plans, baking, cooking, wrapping gifts, decorating; it all seems to go faster with less time every year as I get older.

This year I am certainly getting the feeling of growing older and approaching the time …

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Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/running-down-to-the-end-of-the-year/

Storied objects

It is exciting to have new students develop a passion for tea.  I have some new students who are so enthusiastic that they have been coming twice a week to keiko.  One of them has a site, Storied Objects, that features artisan handcrafted ware with an aesthetic that appeals to many tea folk.  She is …

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Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/storied-objects/

Preserving Japanese traditional culture

A couple of weekends ago, Mr. SweetPersimmon and I attended a festival not far from Portland, Oregon put on the the Kominka Collective.  This non-profit organization’s mission is “to save old Japanese folk houses while preserving and passing on traditional carpentry methods.”

The word kominka refers to houses built at least …

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Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/preserving-japanese-traditional-culture/