Co-signing everyone else’s comments here on pointing us back to one of my favorite fingers pointing at the moon (Baisaō) - I’ve had the wonderful chance to study Senchado for a year here in Kitakamkura and long for my Japanese to improve so I can catch some of the verbal insights as well as the nonverbal ones - my only main hangup has been how modern Senchado actually seems more, not less, complex than Channoyu and considerably more difficult to share with others given the amount of wares and setup required - would love it if I could find out some nodate loophole in contemporary - or historic - Senchado - 🙏
Alex, Thanks for sharing your impressions and reflections. How amazing that you got to study Senchado for a year - would love to hear more! I, too, long for some substantial improvement in my Nihongo to grasp the different nuances of all things Japanese. Ganbatte ne.
I am so happy to read this post on Baisaō! It wasn't until I read him that I truly began to appreciate tea. I was always so struck and also a little saddened that he, as his death approached, burned his teaware and basket (Senka!). And the poetry: my god! A universe in a tea caddy...what a unique and wonderful and admirable person.
Thanks you for this lovely tribute to tea, Peck Gee. It's great to read how tea culture from China influenced tea culture in Japan, and how "the old tea seller" had such remarkable life lessons for us all. Do you think we should offer a cup of slow-brewed teas to our world 'leaders' right now?
Debbie, Thanks for reading and for sharing your reflections! I don't think our world "leaders" know how to properly enjoy any slow-brewed teas. They're too busy bouncing around negotiating tariffs, spilling tea, burning their fingers, while the real cost continue to trickle down from every cup - patience and conscience of their very own citizens!
Wonderful introduction to so many fine details of tea, its cultural roots, and those amazing people!
I really like Baisaō, his understanding of the tea tradition, his way of life, and his spirit. Such a pure and simple soul. I saw a piece of his calligraphy, about a poem from Han Shan. Very individualistic style that shows his personality.
Happy that you like this post, Yuxuan! I wrote this thinking that you may like him too. Baisaō's independent, free-spirited life is an inspiration. Wonderful that you took a look at his calligraphy. Indeed, he was a fine kanshi 漢詩 poet and a respected calligrapher!
Hanshan's 吾心似秋月 (my mind is like the autumn moon) deeply inspired Baisaō - said to repeatedly copy it in his final years.
“When the mind is truly at peace, where you are is pleasant, Whether you live in a marketplace or in a mountain hermitage. Essentially, it all depends on the mind. A sutra says, “When the mind is pure, the Buddha-lands are pure as well.””
This is a beautiful quote. My Hawaiian teacher says the same: heaven is not a place but a frequency. And tea, too, can be drunk anywhere. I would love to read about your thoughts on Oolong tea!
Thank you, Lucia. I love what your teacher shared! Oolong tea is the most complex of the six types of tea with variations across Taiwan, Guangdong, and Fujian where my ancestors were from. Thanks for inspiring - I'll make sure to share about oolong at some point.
Co-signing everyone else’s comments here on pointing us back to one of my favorite fingers pointing at the moon (Baisaō) - I’ve had the wonderful chance to study Senchado for a year here in Kitakamkura and long for my Japanese to improve so I can catch some of the verbal insights as well as the nonverbal ones - my only main hangup has been how modern Senchado actually seems more, not less, complex than Channoyu and considerably more difficult to share with others given the amount of wares and setup required - would love it if I could find out some nodate loophole in contemporary - or historic - Senchado - 🙏
Alex, Thanks for sharing your impressions and reflections. How amazing that you got to study Senchado for a year - would love to hear more! I, too, long for some substantial improvement in my Nihongo to grasp the different nuances of all things Japanese. Ganbatte ne.
I am so happy to read this post on Baisaō! It wasn't until I read him that I truly began to appreciate tea. I was always so struck and also a little saddened that he, as his death approached, burned his teaware and basket (Senka!). And the poetry: my god! A universe in a tea caddy...what a unique and wonderful and admirable person.
Lucas, Nice to hear that it was Baisao who got you truly into tea! Fascinating character. What tea do you enjoy these days?
Ah, sorry I missed this! Right now I am drinking some sencha from d-matcha Kyoto. Samidori! It is so wonderful I am so sad to be almost out 😅
Thanks you for this lovely tribute to tea, Peck Gee. It's great to read how tea culture from China influenced tea culture in Japan, and how "the old tea seller" had such remarkable life lessons for us all. Do you think we should offer a cup of slow-brewed teas to our world 'leaders' right now?
Debbie, Thanks for reading and for sharing your reflections! I don't think our world "leaders" know how to properly enjoy any slow-brewed teas. They're too busy bouncing around negotiating tariffs, spilling tea, burning their fingers, while the real cost continue to trickle down from every cup - patience and conscience of their very own citizens!
Wonderful introduction to so many fine details of tea, its cultural roots, and those amazing people!
I really like Baisaō, his understanding of the tea tradition, his way of life, and his spirit. Such a pure and simple soul. I saw a piece of his calligraphy, about a poem from Han Shan. Very individualistic style that shows his personality.
Happy that you like this post, Yuxuan! I wrote this thinking that you may like him too. Baisaō's independent, free-spirited life is an inspiration. Wonderful that you took a look at his calligraphy. Indeed, he was a fine kanshi 漢詩 poet and a respected calligrapher!
Hanshan's 吾心似秋月 (my mind is like the autumn moon) deeply inspired Baisaō - said to repeatedly copy it in his final years.
Thanks for all the work you've done to introduce Baisaō! I do need to learn more about him.
Very interesting and a great reminder. Our world needs, we need to come back to this simplicity. Thank you 🙏 !
Thanks as always for reading, Cécile. Glad you could relate and enjoyed this.
“When the mind is truly at peace, where you are is pleasant, Whether you live in a marketplace or in a mountain hermitage. Essentially, it all depends on the mind. A sutra says, “When the mind is pure, the Buddha-lands are pure as well.””
This is a beautiful quote. My Hawaiian teacher says the same: heaven is not a place but a frequency. And tea, too, can be drunk anywhere. I would love to read about your thoughts on Oolong tea!
Thank you, Lucia. I love what your teacher shared! Oolong tea is the most complex of the six types of tea with variations across Taiwan, Guangdong, and Fujian where my ancestors were from. Thanks for inspiring - I'll make sure to share about oolong at some point.