Some people, especially at demonstrations, get the idea that Chanoyu is a performance. The host has set the stage and enters to perform a ritual with the guests as the audience. In performance the emphasis and attention are all directed at the performer, while the audience is there to be entertained or to view the …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/it-is-not-a-performance/
About a year ago we opened Issoan, the tea room built for me by my husband. It took him two and a half years, but it was worth the wait. I have been teaching Chado for about 25 years and I was thrilled to have a tea room with a raised floor for …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/loneliness-of-the-tea-room/
This year, I have several students who have put on a chakai or are planning to put on chakai for guests. It takes a lot of planning and effort to do this, and yes a lot of courage to do it. From the beginning to just decide to host a gathering is kind of a …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/chakai-planning-2017/
As a child, my mother sat me down when I received any gift or attended any event to write a thank you note. It was drilled into me that I MUST acknowledge what someone else had done for me by a hand-written thank you note. That training has stood me in good stead. It …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/the-art-of-the-thank-you-note/
I recently presented chanoyu to a group of third graders, that is 8 and 9 year olds at their classroom in Portland. I had them pretend that they were Japanese students and they all stood up and said “Ohaiyo gozimasu, sensei” to their teacher, and they were very attentive and nearly silent during the 30 …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/kids-and-the-way-of-tea/
