Tag: preparation

Be here now

Here we are at the turn of the year.  It is the winter solstice and once again we are facing a new virus variant that they say is more transmissible than the previous strains. Will we never be rid of this disease? Nearly three years of sickness, death, disruption, threats,and  travel bans. We are all …

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This glamorous and beautiful tea life

I am reminded almost daily, that not everything associated with Chado is glamorous or beautiful. The other day I was sifting damp ash for the ro and making a mess of it. While making damp ash occurs in heat of summer, by the time November comes around, my ash has dried somewhat and clumped together. …

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Making a good bowl of koicha

During koicha temae, the teishu asks the shokyaku “Ofukukagen wa ikaga desu ka?” How is the tea.  Of course out of politeness, it is always “Kekko desu, or Taihen kekko desu” It is good and sufficient.  But we need honest feedback in order to improve how we make koicha.  One of my students told me …

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Chakai planning 2017

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 …

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My first chakai

I’d like to introduce to you a guest blogger, Stephanie. She is a student and has been studying for more than 2 1/2 years. Earlier this year, she put on her first chakai:

Earlier this year I hosted my first chakai (tea gathering) for a fellow student who was returning to Japan. It was fitting …

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