Tsukimi Chakai, moon viewing at Issoan,
The night was clear after a weekend of rain for the moon viewing at Issoan. The chakai was virtual and 15 guests attended.
Guests were escorted through the Nijiriguchi to view the tokonoma. The scroll reads, “Mizu wo kikusureba tsuki te ni ari,” or Scoop water and …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/tsukimi-chakai-at-issoan/
It is not often that I get to be a guest at a Chakai. So when I was invited by my friend Christopher Ezzell to a Chakai, I was thrilled and delighted. Christopher lives on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, about a three hour drive from my house. Since I had not been …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/chakai-at-the-tea-house-of-the-winter-moon/
Yesterday for Memorial Day, we had our first virtual chakai at Issoan. The theme was “Then and now.” Since we are still on lock down for the Corona virus in Oregon, we had to do it via Zoom. There were many innovations since the students cannot come to Issoan for lessons, and creative interpretations of …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/first-virtual-chakai-at-issoan/
It has been 65 days since we have been self-isolating here in Portland. Things were already starting to shut down when I decided to cancel all chanoyu classes, workshops, demonstrations and events and close Issoan tea room for teaching.
The tea room feels empty, but not lonely. Everyday, I zokin the tatami, hang a scroll …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/chanoyu-in-a-time-of-corona-virus/
After the gathering, after guests have left, and the helpers have been served there is the clean-up. All of the dogu is cleaned, the fire has been picked and the kettle returned to dry. If the gathering has taken place at a rented venue, everything needs to be packed up and loaded in the car …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/after-the-gathering-revisited/
