TeaChat

Good morning and almost afternoon to you all!
Today's matcha - Wako in a store bought chawan.
I like this one, tho store bought, and mass produced, somehow it does
not feel dead in my hand.
I like its sandy-earthiness, even tho I rarely if ever use it.



Cheers, and may we all have good days, meeting whatever challenges arise as best we can.

Nice shots! So what is your favorite matcha these days? I was surprised at the Kiri no Mori yesterday, it is a bit older than some, yet seemed to have mellowed and become sweeter.

Thanks Seeker and Victoria for sharing. Unfortunately, a bit camera impaired here currently ... well, should say still. Have the camera, but bought it before vista and have not been able to get it to work with vista. Frustrated to say the least.

Anyway, I can contribute a photo of one of the brother chawan, Seeker. This is somehow affectionately named the Orc Chawan. Enjoyed Zencha Yame Matcha in it today, so it is a "today's matcha chawan."

Wow Chip - I remember that one. Excellent. Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I yearn to see it cradling a batch of matcha, and i understand and sympathize with your camera issues.
Vista

Vic - these days I'm drinking what's open - just finished Yame matcha sansui from zencha the other day, now working on finishing up my Wako. But my favs are Wakamastsu and Horai from Ippodo.
Also, I just ordered kaoru supreme from o-cha - that'll be my first organic, and I'm hoping to find an organic fav that matches wakamatsu and/or horai or at least gets close.

Cheers.

Seeker wrote:But my favs are Wakamastsu and Horai from Ippodo.

I bought some Wakamatsu in Tokyo over the summer. I just took it out of the fridge a week or so ago and noticed the date on the bottom is 12/25/2009...I've been drinking koicha everyday.

Yay Buzz! Do you like it? Care to share thoughts/experience?
How about a pic?
Today, Wako (gotta finish that can! ) in shyrabbit shino.



Cheers, and may all our Mondays be good ones.

Seeker wrote:Yay Buzz! Do you like it? Care to share thoughts/experience?
How about a pic?
Today, Wako (gotta finish that can! ) in shyrabbit shino.



Cheers, and may all our Mondays be good ones.

Pretty funny actually...
It was my next to last day in Japan and I didn't want to take out anymore yen so I went to Takashimaya figuring they would take credit cards. I wandered all over the basement level (the food level) and couldn't find any matcha. Finally, at one of the counters, I see these rather generic looking tins and...wait a minute...I've had that matcha before...The salesgirl (who was very cute by the way) comes over and I'm like, "Ippodo desu ka?" and she says, "Hai".

Ah, SUGOI! ...and they took credit cards.

I've had the Wakamatsu before, earlier this year when they offered the New Years special blend. I like it, it's very good. I also bought either the Horai or the Tancho...I can't remember which. As for pictures, maybe by the weekend but don't expect anything artistic.

O-Cha - Kiri no Mori in Ice Split:

Hi Buzz,
No artistic hullabaloo required, please!
I just get all inspired by GeekG and bonjiri, but I'm just takin' pics with my digital instamatic (or whatever you call this kind of cam).
Here it is, my humble cam:


I look forward to and welcome whatever matcha & chawan pics you might wish to share.

Victoria wrote:O-Cha - Kiri no Mori in Ice Split:

NICE Pic Vic!!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
I'm so jealous of your wooden chasen stand.
D'ya mix in another vessel and pour?
Or spin the chasen inside the Ice Split a la survival/cavegirl firestarting?

edit/addendum: love your Ice Split! The 'splits' are amazing and quite striking as a backdrop for the tea. Wow. I mistakenly went with a more subtle Ice Split, and off-and-on regret it. Really nice to see and admire yours!

Seeker wrote: Today, Wako (gotta finish that can! ) in shyrabbit shino.

Love this image, Seeker. The color is outstanding, it really does that shino justice. I love that bluish shino. Is that what they call Nezumi? or does it have to be layered over the dark/light pattern to be called Nezumi?

GG, wohh, I consider that high praise coming from you!
Thank you, I bow humbly.
I am embarrassed to say that I don't know the answer to your question about nezumi.
I am a lover of chawan, but a beginner by a long stretch. And as I am studying for my licensing exam, I've been unable to quench my thirst for chawan knowledge.
Perhaps Michael (the shy rabbit ), the creator, might grace us with an astute answer?
And if we're lucky, some equally talented others might chime in as well?
Then we can all go to school!

Seeker wrote: NICE Pic Vic!!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
I'm so jealous of your wooden chasen stand.
D'ya mix in another vessel and pour?
Or spin the chasen inside the Ice Split a la survival/cavegirl firestarting?

edit/addendum: love your Ice Split! The 'splits' are amazing and quite striking as a backdrop for the tea. Wow. I mistakenly went with a more subtle Ice Split, and off-and-on regret it. Really nice to see and admire yours!

Heh, you caught me. Yeah, I mixed in the green bowl from yesterday since it was still sitting out. Much easier, then I just rewhisked a bit. Oh and I had a drink, before I shot it, which is evident by the one side.

This nice man would be happy to make one for you:
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.ph ... d=17536319

Seeker wrote: And if we're lucky, some equally talented others might chime in as well?
Then we can all go to school!

I'm no expert either but let me try...

Nezumi means mouse in Japanese and nezumi shino is so called because of its grey color.
http://www.potters.org/subject76664.htm
(thanks to intuit for the link )

Today's matcha - Wako, and I finished the can today, so I can open some of my Ippodo Wakamatsu or Horai! Hmmm, which to open, hmmm...
In a Ronin Ceramurai chawan (Robert Fornell):


(perhaps a bit too playful w/ comp on that one )

w/ elixir:


Peace to all, and I'll practice remembering to take a conscious breath now and then today.