May

29

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One of the beloved characters in tea. Check out this fun series of short videos from the always interesting Chow website. Aside from being about tea, these clips clips give you a little glimpse into the world of this Southern gentleman. Pretty endearing.

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

- James

May

20

Other Blogs v.1

May 20, 2008 | 2 Comments

Like so many other things people geek-out on, tea has become a heavily-blogged subject. I enjoy reading other peoples’ takes on tea life and I’ll sporadically list some of them for you to check out.

Our first featured blog is actually brand-new, but I have really enjoyed the first few posts. If you’re at all interested in the Japanese way of tea, Tea Mind is a blog for you. As much about ritual and presence as it is about tea, I look forward to seeing how this blog develops. More to come.

Thanks for checking in.

-James

May

15

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And the jacarandas are in full bloom. They seem especially vibrant this year, and the surrounding neighborhood has a fair amount of these beauties.

Spent a couple of hours at the shop today while the cabinets and drawers were being assembled. It’s those finishing elements that really bring it all together. The shop is going to be incredible; we couldn’t be happier.

Thanks for checking in. We’re supposed to have beautiful weather this weekend, and we plan to make the most of it.

- 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

May

7

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Born and raised in Tijuana, BC, Sandra Equihua is an artist, illustrator, designer, and also the co-creator for Nickelodeon’s El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera. In Beautiful Loss, Sandra intertwines bittersweet glimpses of the past along with overtones of innocence lost. These are the sacrifices that make one’s soul blossom. Beautiful Loss is a medley of mixed emotions encountered across this restless lapse of time. It is through these sentiments that spectacular beauty and growth have emerged. Subtext invites you to celebrate an impressive solo show. ¡Muy calienté!

This looks like it will be an amazing show. Image and content “borrowed” from the subtext blog.

New e-news coming out in the next day, lots of good stuff happening. Thanks for checking in!

- James