tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post3598749275466039793..comments2024-01-19T01:06:56.347-08:00Comments on Steph's Cup of Tea: The New Year of Tea and RobirakiStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05753205572837649406noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-44821664997706938612012-11-27T12:36:03.737-08:002012-11-27T12:36:03.737-08:00Thanks for your reply to my musings, Steph. It is...Thanks for your reply to my musings, Steph. It is pretty great that the chanoyu enables you to combine both the wonders of an age-old tradition and your personal creativity.cha senhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02661885162902335609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-70560878143003014012012-11-27T07:41:26.164-08:002012-11-27T07:41:26.164-08:00Thank you for that explanation, Steph! I had been ...Thank you for that explanation, Steph! I had been wondering!Angela McRaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10928913868086900802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-30354981081918277172012-11-27T06:28:48.678-08:002012-11-27T06:28:48.678-08:00There are so many nuances to this tea celebration!...There are so many nuances to this tea celebration! So much to absorb and take away from this experience. I would love to participate in this ceremony and experience this lovley ritual. Your description of this celebration drew me in and made me feel like I was there with you.<br />Thank you for sharing.<br /><br />Mary Janeamherstrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770869900528472512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-21551248221970571692012-11-27T05:11:26.443-08:002012-11-27T05:11:26.443-08:00I knew a tea ceremony was involved but didn't ...I knew a tea ceremony was involved but didn't have any idea there was so much to it. You meal sounds lovely and I can imagine what a moving experience the ceremony was. Wonderful post, Steph.Cathy at Wives with Kniveshttp://wiveswithknives.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-26547537055449158032012-11-26T20:22:49.730-08:002012-11-26T20:22:49.730-08:00Dear Angela - It's a good question, and I cons...Dear Angela - It's a good question, and I consulted with my instructor. First, you are right -common sense dictates that if you're sick, you stay home. There is also a fair bit of guest etiquette that one learns before attending an event like this. (I've been studying for nearly a year and just attended my first full tea ceremony.) One of the things learned is to bring your own moist linen closth to wipe where you drank. Tea does have antimicrobial properties, but I'm not sure to what extent that helps. Finally, I just trust the process and haven't picked up a cold yet. :-) Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05753205572837649406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-59035732821086388672012-11-26T17:00:38.377-08:002012-11-26T17:00:38.377-08:00What a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing wi...What a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing with us. The jar and the knots are lovely! Almost a shame to break it open...<br />RutAntiques And Teacupshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00353180034537009493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-76253496354579652482012-11-26T11:39:47.241-08:002012-11-26T11:39:47.241-08:00Those amazing knots are the first thing I noticed....Those amazing knots are the first thing I noticed. And how interesting to learn about the tea being allowed to rest until November! This sounds like a most unique ceremony, and now I have to ask you about one thing that has always puzzled me, and that's the drinking-after-others custom. I do "get" the obvious importance of the communal/sharing aspects, but ... right now, when half my co-workers have colds, I can't imagine sipping after anyone else. Is there not a health concern, or do you just assume those participating have the good sense not to come if they are sick?Angela McRaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10928913868086900802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-32222149969510688892012-11-26T09:00:24.221-08:002012-11-26T09:00:24.221-08:00Dear Cha Sen - Yes, I believe that personal creati...Dear Cha Sen - Yes, I believe that personal creativity can very much be a part of the tea ceremony. The more I learn, the more I see the opportunities for this. For example, the selection of tea utensils can make for a very unique tea experience. The host chooses the flowers and the scroll and provides the names of the sweets and other implements. In a full tea ceremony, a theme ties the event together and is revealed slowly throughout the ceremony. This requires a lot of imagination and personal thought. What I'm learning is that the more skilled I will become, the more opportunity for my personality to show through.<br /><br />Finally, while each person performs the basic steps of the procedure in the same order and using the same technique, each person has a unique style about it that is noticeable. (I'm still bumbling along to find mine!) :-)<br /><br />Thank you,<br />StephanieStephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05753205572837649406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-11325066015801432422012-11-26T08:41:02.790-08:002012-11-26T08:41:02.790-08:00Dear Teaist - That's a great question! Based ...Dear Teaist - That's a great question! Based on my newbie experience, here's how I describe the differences...<br /><br />Koicha (thick tea moves slowly and luxuriously across my tongue. The flavor is intense, akin to steamed spinach, with a sweet aftertaste that lingers. That sweetness is important and a sign of good koicha. Since one uses a lot of matcha to make koicha, a superior grade is essential. If not, the bitterness would be amplified. <br /><br />In contrast, usucha (thin tea)practically dances in my mouth. The whipped froth tickles my mouth as I take my first sip. The flavor is more earthy with a base of pleasant bitterness. <br /><br />Both are very high in umami and delicious!<br /><br />Would love to hear from others!Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05753205572837649406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-52864933766693708302012-11-26T07:11:36.039-08:002012-11-26T07:11:36.039-08:00Yes, I too feel that enacting a ritual can be soot...Yes, I too feel that enacting a ritual can be soothing. I wonder too if within the very narrow confines of a ritual like the chanoyu, one can find one's own unique spark of creativity. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.cha senhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02661885162902335609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-51114368640922959412012-11-26T06:59:16.003-08:002012-11-26T06:59:16.003-08:00Thank you for sharing this wonderful new journey.Thank you for sharing this wonderful new journey.Rosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03394597758723246533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-34150198135793880592012-11-26T04:05:09.033-08:002012-11-26T04:05:09.033-08:00Thanks for sharing this; a wonderful summary! Woul...Thanks for sharing this; a wonderful summary! Would love to experience this first hand.<br /><br />How would you describe the taste difference between thin and thick matcha?<br /><br />And oh, I totally get you on ritual. It's a very powerful thing.The Teaisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01260367870454750820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-92107288597825838772012-11-25T21:08:27.142-08:002012-11-25T21:08:27.142-08:00The tea jar is gorgeous with the covering and knot...The tea jar is gorgeous with the covering and knots.<br />I loved your explanation of this special event. How wonderful to have the opportunity to be included in a tea ceremony such as this. I can't even imagine sitting on this floor for so long.Marilyn Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436268.post-65535399764157849522012-11-25T20:07:20.286-08:002012-11-25T20:07:20.286-08:00The tea jar shown in this post belongs to Margie-s...The tea jar shown in this post belongs to Margie-sensei of the Issoan Tea School. Thank you!Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05753205572837649406noreply@blogger.com