Category: Chado
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Ippeki — A Horizon of Blue
Not long after Golden Week, I spent a day visiting museums. I’d always enjoyed exhibitions featuring famous artists like Van Gogh and Monet, but my interest in tea utensils has only grown quite recently. I also have a weakness for the words “limited-time only.” When I heard that the MOA Museum of Art in Atami…
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Kissako — Have a Cup of Tea
Before the rainy season had begun, I had the opportunity to help at a Teicha hosted by the local tea association to which my teacher belongs. From early in the morning, four of us took turns serving as host or assistant host, welcoming each guest with a bowl of tea. The seasonal sweet prepared by…
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Ippuku — A Moment for Tea
Few Japanese people would say they look forward to tsuyu, Japan’s rainy season. Unlike the gentle rain that nourishes nature throughout the year, the air during this rainy season feels heavy. As the humidity rises, my body seems to grow heavier too, and every year I find myself struggling with the change in weather. Last…
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Tea Picking in Sayama — A Day of Learning Through Taste and Handwork
On a sunny Sunday in June, I visited Sayama for the first time to experience tea picking with friends. Sayama is known as one of Japan’s three major tea regions, and it is surprisingly accessible from central Tokyo. On this particular day, we were given a special program that allowed us to enjoy both tea…