Activities at Issoan

It has been a long time since I have blogged, but we have been busy at Issoan Tea School. 

Last month we had a haigata workshop, the forming of the ash for burning charcoal.  The whole class was able to use the ash spoons to smooth the ash and do part of the form.  Then we layed the charcoal, heated the water,  had our sweets and made tea. 

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Tom Ward who made the charcoal that we burned.  He has come the closest I have seen to making domestic charcoal for tea ceremony.