Issoan Tea School News and Events

We have a lot of events coming up this fall, in addition to the busy summer.  I promise that I will get back onto a schedule of regular blogging, as the blog posts requested and ones I want to write are piling up.

For the immediate future, please see the calendar below, and if you are interested in attending any of the events or workshops, please contact me.

September 18th, Wedesday 6:30 pm -- Moonviewing at the Portland Japanese Garden.  Regular Wednesday class will be held at the Japanese Garden.
September 29-30, Sunday- Monday, 10 am- 5 pm -- Soujuan Kimono visit, The Wine & Spirit Archive, 828 SE Ash St #204, Portland OR, 97214.  We are lucky to have Mr. Nomura return to Portland with his collection of art kimono and, kimono accessories and kimono dressing lessons.  Please join us.
Octpber 5-6. Saturday -Sunday, Northwest Tea Festival, Seattle, WA.
October 13-14, Sunday -Monday, Christy-sensei intensive seminar. Konarai on Sunday, Kagetsu in the evenings.  Shikaden study on Monday morning, Okuden afternoon, advanced Kagetsu Monday evening.  Contact Margie for more information.
November 2-3, Saturday, Sunday 10 am.  Tea gathering for the opening of the winter hearth.
November 10, Sunday 10am -12 pm, Kumihimo workshop. Learn the basics of Japanese braiding techniques.
Coming soon - Kintsugi workshop, repairing ceramics with gold

Kimono Designer to visit Portland

We are lucky to be able to host Naoki Nomura, kimono designer from Kyoto, Japan in Portland.  Nomura-san, owner of Soujuan Kimono, has exhibited art kimono internationally and will offer kimono, obi, and accessories for sale.  Joining him is Akiko Kageyama, certified kimono instructor, to give us instruction and tips on kimono dressing as well has help choose kimono, obi and accessories.  She will present a special lecture “Ohashiyori – how to finish clean”

Please join us: Sunday, September 29, and Monday, September 30, from 9am - 6 pm
Location: 828 SE Ash St., #204, Portland, OR 97214.

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-06-15/news/36929993_1_edo-era-traditional-japanese-dress-japan-s-edo

https://buyathread.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/naoki-nomuras-kimono-exhibition-in-nyc-next-week/

http://www.nyartbeat.com/event/2011/A419

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2006.73.2

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/pdf/kimonoopening08.pdf

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. 

Issoan Tea School News and Events

Saturday, July 20, 1 and 2 pm 
Chanoyu demonstration at Kashintei, the teahouse at the Portland Japanese Garden

Sunday July 21st
Seichuki at Kashintei, the Portland Japanese Garden teahouse

Friday, August 2; 5-8 pm Chehalem Cultural Center August ArtWalk celebrates the world of woodfire ceramics with our exhibition of master ceramicists from around the region: "West Coast Woodfire: A Legacy of Innovation and Influence." 6:00 pm: Margie Yap will be here to demonstrate a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, highlighting the woodfired tea bowls featured in the exhibit.

Saturday August 3, Oregon Buddhist Temple's Obonfest 2013 from 3:00 pm to 9:00pm. Join us for food, gifts, entertainment and dancing. This year's Obonfest features -- Food items: yakisoba, yakiniku, yakitori, shave ice, manju, chirashi sushi, beer garden, soft drinks, Spam musubi
Program: Tanuki Taiko, Portland Taiko*, Martial Arts Demonstration, Temple Talks, Bon Odori (public dance)
Vendors: Michiko Selby (Oshie art using chiyogami paper), Miwa McCree (massage), Kaori Oya (Shiatsu massage), Hiroshi Ogawa (Japanese Pottery), Margie Yap from Sweet Persimmon (handmade purses and meditation products), Karen Fullerton (notecards and art), Kinokuniya Bookstore (Japanese books, music, misc items) Others: Omiyage shop, T-shirt sale, children's corner, raffle

Sunday August 11, Chashaku/Bamboo Hanire Workshop. 10 am -noon at Issoan Tea Room. Fee is $35.
Bamboo chashaku, tea scoop carving and flower vase workshop. Bamboo materials, saws, chisels and knives provided, if you have your own carving knife, or utility knife please bring it. Demonstration of techniques, but mostly hands-on working the bamboo. Space limited to 6. Sign up and reserve your space via Paypal at left. THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL, CONTACT ME TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST

Regular classes at Issoan Tea Room:
Wednesdays 7-9 pm - Intermediate studies
Thursdays 7-9 pm - Beginning Chado
Saturdays 1-3 pm - Beginning Chado
Saturdays 3-5 pm - Intermediate studies

Haigata workshop

A reminder to all students: Haigata workshop is Sunday July 7th at 10 am.  Fee is $25.  Next week in fact. Please let me know by Friday July 5. We will be learning about the different kinds of furo and their formality; about the different kinds of ash, how to prepare the furo: leveling the kama, and the different kinds of haigata(ash forms) How to use the ash spoons to sculpt beautiful forms that still breathe and allow the fire to burn.

Bring what you have: furo, kama, mae gawara, (front tile), gotoku (stand), hai (ash), haisagi (ashspoons).

If we have time, we will go over charcoal, and how to arrange it in the furo to make sure it burns nice and hot, rather than go out.


Haigata workshop:

Sunday, July 7, 10 am - noon
Issoan Tea Room - outside, too.
Fee: $25
Reserve now only 3 spots left


You can register and pay for the class by Paypal at the left.
Or contact me (503) 645-7058  to register and pay at the time of the workshop