Issoan Tea School

Tango no Sekku. Happy Boys’ Day!

Today in the tea room.

Rikyuki at Issoan

issoantea sweetpersimmon1

Zen and Chado Summer Retreat

Shugyō 修行 Cultivating the self through a living process that shows up in the refinement of mind, body & spirit. When: June 11-14, 2026 Where: Tahoma One Drop Zendo, Whidbey Island, Washington Cost: $375 (including room and board) Accommodations include tent camping or simple dormitory. Please bring sleeping bag. Everyone will participate in preparing meals. All meals will be vegetarian....

Zen and Chado Summer Retreat - Issoan Tea Shugyō 修行 Cultivating the self through a living process that shows up in the refinement of mind, body & spirit. When: June 11-14, 2026 Where: Tahoma One Drop Zendo, Whidbey Island, Washington Cost: $375 (including room and board) Accommodations include tent camping or simple dormitory. Please b...

March 3, Hina Matsuri at Issoan

issoantea sweetpersimmon1

45 Years of Tea Together

炉のぬくみ ことば少なに 茶を分かつ Hearth’s gentle warmth— with few words between us we share this tea. On February 22, Barbara Sōsei Walker held a chakai at the Portland Japanese Garden commemorating 45 years of tea together. Barbara and I grew up together in tea, and as my tea sister she is just as close to me as family. I have known Barbara longer than I have been married....

45 Years of Tea Together - Issoan Tea 炉のぬくみ ことば少なに 茶を分かつ Hearth’s gentle warmth— with few words between us we share this tea.         On February 22, Barbara Sōsei Walker held a chakai at the Portland Japanese Garden commemorating 45 years of tea together. Barbara and I grew up together in tea, a...

Hatsugama, The New Year at Issoan

On January 11, the students and supporters of Issoan gathered at the Cedar Tree Hotel to celebrate Hatsugama. A bento, koicha and usucha were served with portable table style. The traditional New Year kagami mochi was displayed as well as a shikishi and bell denoting the year of the horse. In keeping with the Chokudai of 明 (mei, bright), the scroll displayed read the “The sun shines on heaven and earth,” with the knotted willow and tsubaki flowers....

Hatsugama, The New Year at Issoan - Issoan Tea   On January 11, the students and supporters of Issoan gathered at the Cedar Tree Hotel to celebrate Hatsugama. A bento, koicha and usucha were served with portable table style. The traditional New Year kagami mochi was displayed as well as a shikishi and bell denoting the year of the horse. In kee...

Six poets gather on New Year’s Day

On New Year’s Day, six poets gathered at Issoan Tea Room to compose linked verse poetry, share incense, food, sweets, tea, and fellowship. This year’s poem below. Gathering of friends Tea, food, incense Fellowship Fresh year Hatsu uta (first poem) Hatsu uta breathless silence birds welcome the new day horizon faintly glows life begins anew life begins anew from shadows creeping…...

Six poets gather on New Year’s Day - Issoan Tea On New Year’s Day, six poets gathered at Issoan Tea Room to compose linked verse poetry, share incense, food, sweets, tea, and fellowship. This year’s poem below. Gathering of friends Tea, food, incense Fellowship Fresh year Hatsu uta (first poem) Hatsu uta breathless silence birds welcome the n...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year as we head into 2026, the year of the Fire Horse! A fire horse year signifies a rare, powerful period of rapid change, passion, and bold action, combining the Horse's natural energy (speed, freedom, ambition) with the Fire element's intensity, leading to innovation, personal growth, but requiring balanced ambition to avoid burnout. It's a time for taking risks and transformation, moving from the introspective previous year (Wood Snake) into dynamic, fast-paced opportunities for breakthroughs....

Happy New Year - Issoan Tea Happy New Year as we head into 2026, the year of the Fire Horse! A fire horse year signifies a rare, powerful period of rapid change, passion, and bold action, combining the Horse’s natural energy (speed, freedom, ambition) with the Fire element’s intensity, leading to innovation, personal growt...