#chadogu

Ro Season: First Chado class of the new Tea Year. - 11/22/13

Yesterday's Urasenke Chado lesson was the most informative yet. I have to say, personally, I find my studies of Chado (Way of Tea) and my studies of Budo (Martial Way) to be equally as difficult and enlightening. In formal study of both you are traditionally taught without many words. You learn through mistakes and repetition. Every movement has a reason and a function there is no wasted motion. Efficiency of movement is paramount but efficiency in a graceful manner. The Ro season in Chado lasts from November - April. November is the beginning of the new Chado season and involves replacing the Furo with the Ro and moving it closer to the guests. This is done for the practical reason of bringing warmth closer to the guests during the colder months of the year. Sensei Fumino performed Chaji for us and instructed us in the finer points of our Chado practice. Chaji is a tea gathering during which the host serves food and sake in addition to Koicha and Usucha. A chaji takes several hours to complete. There is a break after an initial meal when you leave the tea room and then return after hearing a bell. When you return, the tea room decor has been altered for your viewing pleasure. For us, Sensei made a sweet bean soup with mochi dumplings. When we entered the first time there was a scroll for this gathering in the tokonoma but no chabana arrangement. The kanji on the horizontal scroll was Mu Go, I believe. The translation of which is roughly "No One" or "No Mind" similar to Mu Shin. When we returned after the break the scroll had been removed and a chabana arrangement was in its place. The arrangment was in a Bizen hanaire and used fall foliage and fall flowers Sensei grows for chabana. In Chado it is not really common for pictures to be taken because each gathering is meant to be of the moment. It is also frowned upon to take notes during practice. You watch and learn then you go home to take notes. I wish I could do justice to describing what I learn in Chado practice but it is too much to tell. If you ever get a chance to study it formally I highly recommend it!

合掌,

Cody Kroll コーディクロール

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

Shigaraki-style Chawan: 5 day anagama fired with Shizenryu & Ishihaze. This is a helmar porcelain style body I get from a small mine in Moose Creek, ID. I wedged in a little gairome as well as chicken grit to increase the tsuchiaji (“clay flavor”).  Check out the heavy ash effects on the shomen. This piece was one of many that I felt were successful from the July anagama firing in Corning, NY. I leave at 6am tomorrow morning for the firing in Salem, NY. Stay tuned and wish me luck.

合掌,

Cody Krollコーディクロール 

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

Army of Kodai : 8/29/13

Images of today’s work. I'm never satisfied with my Kodai. I'm still trying to find my "voice"... It is by far to me what sets apart the good from the great...tomorrow is another day...as long as I work everyday, things will work themselves out.

合掌,

Cody Krollコーディクロール 

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房