This year we celebrated the Lunar New Year instead of Hatsugama. Portland had such a bad winter storm that we had to cancel Hatsugama. Our gathering took place at the newly opened Cedar Tree Hotel. The lobby is beautifully understated with a koi pond in the middle! Stephanie and I named the three koi …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/lunar-new-year-for-issoan/
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/
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 …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/happy-new-year-in-poetry/
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 …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/running-down-to-the-end-of-the-year/
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 …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/storied-objects/
