A Win in the Bronze Category for Me

YOKOSO JAPAN VISIT 2010 FOLLOW YOUR IMAGINATION

 

 No, I am not talking about an OLYMPIC win, but a win in the recent

Japan National Tourism Organization ”Visit Japan” Contest 

Entires were solicited in two categories:  original composition and photography. In each category the prizes were:

• 3 Grand Prizes : airfare to Japan
• 4 Gold Prizes:hotel accommodations or day tours in Japan
• 5 Silver Prizes: discount travel voucher on air travel to Japan
• 10 Bronze Prizes: Visit Japan goodie bag with maps, regional Japan guides, a slick pair of chopsticks, etc.

I entered a photograph of a stunning 400 year-old Oribe tea bowl and supplied the required 201 character caption for the image.

This is the photograph and the caption that I entered.

This 400-year old Oribe tea bowl, still in the service of a Japanese tea master, is a powerful cultural image.
It ‘s confident bearing and full-presence fuels my desire
to visit Japan to study traditional ceramics styles, shapes and technique.

I was told that over 6,000 people entered the contest. I am thrilled that my image of this oversized, slipper-shaped chawan owned by Master Sen So’Oku ( Sen Masayoshi ) Zuiensai, 15^th Generation Heir to the Mushakoji-Senke School of Tea resonated with the judges.

Click here to visit the Japan National Tourism Organization webiste: http://www.japantravelinfo.com/2010

Arigato Gozaimasu !

Wu Yi Shan yan cha

We are thrilled to be able to offer tea enthusiasts a distinguished grouping of 2009 Wu Yi Shan oolongs. It is not often that such a fine selection of these teas can be purchased from one well-sourced place in the West.

Those in the know will recognize these teas: they are the four most famous Wu Yi Shan teas ( which are known as Si Da Ming Cong ) and one lesser known but delicious selection as well. As is the custom in the Wu Yi Shan, the teas are named after their singular tea bush varietals:

• Da Hong Pao ( Royal Red Robe )
• Bai Ji Guan ( White Cockscomb )
• Tie Luo Han ( Iron Arhat )
• Shui Jin Gui ( Golden Water Turtle )
• Jun Zi Lan ( Lady Lily )

For lovers of Chinese oolongs, Wu Yi Shan oolongs hold a special place. Also known as cliff teas, rock oolongs ormore specifically, yan cha,  these teas (as a family of oolongs within the oolong class ) are easily recognized by their appearance. Unlike semiball-rolled-style oolongs, the leaves of yan cha are not connected – they are plucked and processed individually, which yields long, thick, strip-style single leaves.

Yan cha are dark in appearance, and are at the extreme end of partial-oxidation: 70-80%. They are traditionally  given a light, medium or heavy  roasting over charcoal ember fires. Yan cha represent the best in traditional, old-style Chinese oolongs, and were the favorite of emperors and Chinese scholars.

The flavors of these teas, while filled with nuance and character, are strong, powerful and mouth-drenching, and not for the faint of heart. Prefer bourbon over gin ? Steak over chicken ? Espresso over latte ? Then Wu Yi Shan oolongs may be the tea you have been searching for.

These teas are perfect for drinking now, and have a good amount of cha-qi. Set some aside for aging and maturing and you will be richly rewarded later.

Click here for more information about these teas: http://www.teatrekker.com/wuyi_yan_oolong.htm

Chinese ’12 Flowers of the Months’ Tea Cups – March/ Peach Blossoms

This is the painting on the front of the 2nd cup in my set of 12  Chinese Flowers of the Months tea cups.  The lovely painting depicts a gnarly yet elegant peach tree festooned with flower buds and open blossoms.

The calligraphy on the back  reads something like: ‘the fragrance of small peach blossoms in spring’

 

For detailed information on the history of Chinese 12 Flowers of the Months tea cups, please read my post from January 1st, 2010.