When choosing the toriawase, the arrangement of utensils for a chakai, or chaji the first thing you should consider is the scroll. It sets the theme for your event and gives the guests something to think about. Most scrolls displayed in the tea room are zen phrases written by Zen priests, monks, or …
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We are lucky this time of year to be able to participate in Hatsugama, the first kettle of the year. It is one of the biggest events of the year, and I have been preparing for this since early November. I have developed over the years a countdown checklist that starts about 2 months out …
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As my classes are preparing to host a chakai this summer, I thought that I would talk a little about tea gatherings.
Chakai are rather informal tea gatherings. Sweets and usucha are usually served, and usually no meal is served at a chakai. I have been to chakai in Japan where there were hundreds of …
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One of the pleasures of attending a tea gathering are the stories told at the gathering. Putting together how the meaning of the scroll and the choices of the utensils along with the poetic names of the sweets and chashaku make for an interesting time.
Some of my students are beginnning to study the kazari …
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