I have much to still to process about the 50 year Midorikai reunion. I think overwhelmingly it was being in the company of those who have had the experience of studying tea in Japan. Everyone learns how to get into kimono in less than ideal conditions. Everyone starts as a beginner learning to walk, sit …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/reunion-reflections/
This year Issoan celebrated Hatsugama in a hybrid as still some people cannot come to the tea room, and some people attended from out of town.
The first seki I laid sumi and served tenshin meal.
Then a break and our zoom guests joined us for sweets and tea. Thank you all …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/hatsugama-2023/
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/
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/
Reading the room is something stand up comics are intimately familiar with. The difference between killing it and dying out there are vastly different. Jokes that get the biggest laugh with one audience may fall flat with another. How to handle a heckler and make them a part of your act is an art form …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/reading-the-room/
