Do Gaku Jitsu revisited
In a previous post I explained the t hree guidelines for the study of chado - Do, the way; Gaku, the knowledge, and Jitsu, the practice. Jitsu – the practice of chado. We get... More »
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In a previous post I explained the t hree guidelines for the study of chado - Do, the way; Gaku, the knowledge, and Jitsu, the practice. Jitsu – the practice of chado. We get... More »
I apologize for not posting more this month. Time got away from me and I will be posting again more often. Here are 25 things I have learned in my journey along the path: 1.... More »
I had an opportunity earlier this week to attend a lecture and demonstration on Kodo, the way of incense. Kodo is a traditional Japanese art, a ritual that is meditative in nature, but unlike chado,... More »
For students following the way of tea, everything is done right handed. Wiping, purifying, whisking, picking thing up with chopsticks, scooping water or tea, all are done with right hand. How disorienting it must be... More »
One of the habits that I used to have is to offer excuses for things I did or did not do. For example, if I was late for keiko (tea class) I would blame it... More »
When Christy sensei comes for koshukai, there is so much information that my head spins. She not only teaches us the formal tea procedures, has also lectured on aesthetics, talked about the history of the... More »
Twice a year, we are so very fortunate to have Christy Bartlett sensei come to Portland for Koshukai, intensive training workshops in the way of tea. We have just concluded three days going from very... More »
The Japanese are famous for packaging. Gifts are exquisitely wrapped; even candies come in unique and intriguing packages. From simple paper wrappings to elaborate cloth bags and wooden boxes, this packaging may seem redundant. But... More »
In the Urasenke curriculum there are more than 70 temae or procedures for making tea, depending on the formality, season, the rank of your guests, and many other factors. There are also informal procedures that... More »
One of the things taught by my sensei was if you see something that needs to be done you do it. No complaints, no bragging about it, no getting credit for it. It is your... More »