Aug

18

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We recently received a bunch of new items from the ever-popular BeeHouse and Forlife lines. We proudly carry these wares as they are well-crafted, beautifully designed, and exceptionally usable for preparing most any tea. New colors, new sizes…they’re all worth checking out.

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We also just received more copies of Liquid Jade as we had sold out a while back. I have mentioned this book more than once here. I think it is one of the finest books on tea, and perhaps the most beautifully written. If you read one book on the history and culture of tea through the ages, this may be the one you want to check out.

Lots of web work, and we are in the final stages! We can see the light, and it will go live very soon (honestly).

We hope you are all well. Thanks very much for checking in.

- James

Aug

20

 I recently came across an online article at the New York Times that dealt with an individual’s search for a new tea kettle. Alice Rawsthorn was lamenting the fact that among so many options, she was unable to find a new kettle that was well-made and simply styled with timeless design. “Simple, well-made and unobtrusive doesn’t seem like the toughest of design briefs….” As she was coming across examples like this and this, you can see how it could be frustrating.

Well, she clearly didn’t come across any kettles like this gem pictured below. I’ve talked about the kettle designed by Sori Yanagi in a previous post, but this article made me realize how much I really love the kettles we carry. For traditional kettles, we only stock the Yanagi (stainless steel, Japan) and the Simplex (copper, England) because they are indeed “simple, well-made and unobtrusive.” Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, these kettles will last many years. For electric kettles, we choose to carry Zojirushi for all the same reasons.

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Hope all is well with all of you. Thanks very much for checking in.

- James

Aug

13

Wares

August 13, 2009 | 2 Comments

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Form, function, culture, tradition—all in one vessel, utensil, or accessory. Appreciating teaware is almost as much fun as geeking out on the tea itself.

Beautiful, breezy day with sun here in South Park. Time for some oolong.

Hope your day is going well. Thanks for checking in.

- James

Jul

30

A Few Favorites

July 30, 2008 | 2 Comments

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Just a little peak at a few of my favorite items that we’ll be stocking. I’ve mentioned Beatrice Hohenegger’s book Liquid Jade in previous posts—like this one. It’s one of my favorites on the subject so far.

Tokoname Kyusu are one of my tea romances for sure—especially the quality handcrafted types. They’re perfect for brewing Japanese teas, and since my entry into heavy tea exploration came in the form of Japanese green teas many years ago, these pots hold a permanent place on my list of favorites.

McVitie’s Digestives are the absolute best tea biscuits for an afternoon with a fine Darjeeling or a bright Ceylon; no milk or sugar in these particular teas for me, just the subtle sweetness of the biscuit. But they are equally good in the morning with a hearty Assam and a dash of milk. I have to control myself when we open a fresh pack of these gems. And, they don’t have any hydrogenated garbage in them.

Hope all is well with you. We await word on our plan submittal, so please hang in there. I know, I know!

Thanks for checking in.

- James

Jun

9

New Arrivals

June 9, 2008 | 5 Comments

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photo: soriyanagidesign.com

We have had some exciting new teaware arrivals this week, and this item is one of my favorites. This kettle was designed by Sori Yanagi in 1994 and received Japan’s Good Design Award in 1998. It is Yanagi’s most popular design in Japan, constructed mainly of handmade parts with a wide bottom for rapid heating. This is one of those objects that just feels good in the hand. Many kettles and teapots often place looks over function and tend to feel unbalanced when you use them. Not this one. Yanagi has played a major role in the development of Japanese industrial design and is still actively designing at age 92. Internationally, he is perhaps most known for his Butterfly Stool (below), designed in in the mid-1950’s and influenced by his visits with Charles Eames.

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There’s more good stuff to talk about with the shelves being stocked and new teas arriving. We have a few things to hash out before the doors open. We do appreciate your patience!

Thanks for checking in.

- James

May

8

Master Potters

May 8, 2008 | 2 Comments

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Shoj Hamada circa 1968. Great footage of a master using a momentum wheel to create beautifully organic forms. The music, black and white imagery, and the slight hissing sound all combine for a late-60’s vibe that’s almost as pleasing as the subject matter itself.

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And a modern master using an electric wheel to handcraft his teaware. The teacup is nice, but it’s the teapot—a Japanese Kyusu—that is amazing to watch. Technique, presence, confidence, and an aesthetic sensibility all combine to create the handcrafted wares that are so prized in tea culture. We will indeed stock some Tokoname teaware in the shop. A nice kyusu is the way to prepare a quality Japanese green tea. Matching tea types with teaware is like having a selection of glasses for particular wine styles or a variety of glassware to complement different styles of beer. We’ll talk more about teaware and tea both on the blog and in the shop.

Thanks for checking in.

- James

Mar

6

The Utah Teapot

March 6, 2008 | 3 Comments

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In 1975, pioneer University of Utah computer graphics researcher Martin Newell was trying to figure out how to get a computer to render 3D objects. He was looking for a familiar object that could appear reasonably realistic, and could be rotated and viewed from different angles. Sandra Newell (his wife) suggested modeling their tea service since they were sitting down to tea at the time. Dr. Newell took out his graph paper and a pencil, and sketched the entire tea service by eye. The “Utah Teapot” has since become the standard symbol for complex, three-dimensional computer graphics. Computer scientists throughout the world are familiar with the teapot and have worked it into their own projects as a nod to Newell’s pioneering work. The teapot has made an appearance in Pixar movies like Toy Story as well as an episode of The Simpsons. The actual teapot Newell used as his model is now in the Computer History Museum, located in Mountain View, California. Haven’t made it by there yet.

This was an interesting discovery (for me) that I’m sure many of you already knew about. Guess I’m kinda lo-tech.

Lots of good stuff happening with the shop and website. More to come soon! Hope you’re all well.

- James

Feb

29

Anticipation

February 29, 2008 | 3 Comments

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Morning tea is often my final thought of the night before. I look forward to tea at all different times of the day. Much of my extended conversations take place over tea—a ritual I cannot live without. It is very satisfying to know that we are doing our part to foster these periods of reconnection. Cell phones, emails, television, etc. can’t hold a candle to sitting across from someone you care about and chatting over a pot of tea.

Enjoy your weekend.

- James

Jan

29

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Black Raku tea bowl by Chojiro (1500’s)

Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591) is considered the most influential figure on the Japanese way of tea, particularly the tradition of wabi-cha (tea of simplicity and sincerity). He considered the ritual of preparing and serving tea an opportunity to experience the essence of life, a moment to transcend everyday reality and be absolutely present with yourself and others. I came across a great story about Rikyū in the book Liquid Jade. It perfectly illustrates the essential spirit of the tea ceremony (Chanoyu), but is definitely applicable to all areas of life.

Once a tea grower invited Rikyū to have tea. Overwhelmed with joy at Rikyū’s acceptance, the tea grower led him to the tearoom and served tea to Rikyū himself. However, in his exitement his hand trembled and he performed badly, dropping the tea scoop and knocking the tea whisk over. The other guests, disciples of Rikyū, snickered at the tea grower’s manner of making tea, but Rikyū was moved to say, “It was the finest.”

On the way home, one of the disciples asked Rikyū, “Why were you so impressed by such a shameful performance?” Rikyū answered, “This man did not invite me with the idea of showing off his skill. He simply wanted to serve me tea with his whole heart. He devoted himself completely to making a bowl of tea for me, not worrying about errors. I was struck by that sincerity.”

- James