Kagetsu is one of the ensemble tea exercises (games) where 5 people make and drink 4 bowls of tea. Cards or fuda are drawn from a pouch called an orisue to determine who makes tea and who drinks tea. Ka, or flower makes tea, and getsu or moon drinks tea. There are many rules of …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/kagetsu/
It is truly spring here in the Pacific Northwest. I have been planting flowers for chabana in my garden for about three years. This year, I am quite happy to say I have been able to pick chabana from my garden every week for okeiko without stealing from my neighbor’s yards.
I used to be …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/flowers-flowers-everywhere/
The Portland International Tea Gathering will take place October 15-20, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, USA.
For those making travel plans, we have reserved a discount block of rooms at the Cedar Tree Hotel, the site of the Tea Gathering. The link can be found here.
We are working to finalize the program, booking speakers and …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/portland-international-tea-gathering-update/
In the winter the year I lived in Japan, people talked about plum blossoms. I was confused because I had heard that Japan was all about the sakura, cherry blossoms. But I remember walking to school in the cold, going to class in the cold, coming home in the cold and trying to stay …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/in-the-depths-of-winter-plum-season/
This year on New Year’s Day, 8 poets gathered to begin the New Year with a poetry gathering. We composed a modified linked verse. While we composed poems, people brought and brewed all kinds of tea from genmaicha to oolongs. We also shared sake to help with creativity, and pot luck lunch. One …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/new-year-poetry-gathering-2/
