September Tea

Laura demonstrates ryakubondate temai at September's demo and talk.

A small group joined us at our monthly gathering for a bowl of matcha. Laura and Holly demonstrated ryakubondate temai, and Harvey presented a slideshow about the history of Tea and its introduction to Japan. 

More links about kimono and obi

I've been collecting websites about kimono and obi for some time now, and the list continues to grow.

This links to a dynamic feed of bookmarks that will expand as we find more and more information. You may check here frequently, or subscribe wth an RSS reader:

http://feeds.delicious.com/v2/rss/HMHarvey1/kimono?count=15

Send links to me if you find something helpful about wearing kimono and obi.

Tea talk and demo

You are invited to learn about Chanoyu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony, and Chado, the Way of Tea. Our monthly gatherings feature a discussion and demonstration of Chanoyu.

Sunday Oct 12, noon
Ink People Center for the Arts
517 3d St., Suite 40
(3rd floor, elevator available)
Old Town, Eureka

Wear comfortable clothing, be fragrance-free and wear minimal jewelry. Everyone is welcome, but this event is not recommended for small children. Free will donation requested. Please join us!

For additional information, contact us at horai.center@gmail.com

If at first you don't succeed...

... untie the obi and start over.

Holly, David and Pia enjoy tea after struggling with kimono

To gain more practice in wearing kimono, sensei has us practicing temai once a month in kimono. It felt like we were sent back in time to when we were two-year-olds learning to tie shoelaces and button our own coats. After much fumbling and frustration we managed to get ourselves respectably dressed.

Wearing kimono demands much mindfulness of we Westerners. They are unfamiliar so we must move carefully and thoughtfully. Standing up, sitting down and walking gracefully are especially challenging. On the upside, kimono restricts or, rather, shapes movement and helps us to have better posture when sitting and bowing, and helps us understand why certain motions in temai are the way they are (for example, why the natsume is set down in a certain way).

Next month, we will be even better.

:: :: ::

Online reference for wearing kimono and tying obi

Rebecca Cragg of Camellia Teas demonstrates how to tie Nagoya obi (YouTube)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_%28sash%29

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpURUVT3Msk&feature=related 

http://www.wafuku.co.uk/kimonoinfo5.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4480025_tie-geisha-obi.html

http://stores.japanesegoods.jp/Page.bok?template=traditionalkimono

http://www.hanamiweb.com/kimono.html

http://tanuki.org.uk/kimono.html

Amy & Aiko Uyeki Senryu Poetry Reading

Shizue Harada’s poignant poems, (pen name Sanae) along with artwork created by her granddaughter Amy Uyeki, are the subject of a poetry reading of Sanae, Senryu Poet: Her Life in 5-7-5, read by Amy and editor Aiko Uyeki, Sanae’s daughter.


Following the poetry reading, the Uyekis will conduct a workshop exploring senryu and haiga, which combines poetry with artwork.

Wed., Sept. 15, 2010
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Price: Free
Where: Library Fishbowl (Room 209), Humboldt State University Campus
(download a campus map [pdf])

For more details, contact Kumi Watanabe-Schock email (707) 826-5656