I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way of
Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket? A
pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I am
sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to understand
(at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do attend a
Tea Ceremony.

Many thanks,

Dave

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 21:13:32 -0500, Dave typed:

> I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
> one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way of
> Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
> places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
> explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket? A
> pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I am
> sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to understand
> (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do attend a
> Tea Ceremony.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Dave
>

The first. An obi is the wide, sash-like belt worn with a kimono.
However, I am no tea ceremony expert.
--
Cordially,

Sonam Dasara
9/8/2005 11:22:17 PM

9/8/05

> I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
> one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way of
> Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
> places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
> explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket? A
> pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I am
> sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to understand
> (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do attend a
> Tea Ceremony.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Dave
>
>


Dave,

I'm a minor, but I'll step in anyway. Obi refers to a group of people in
Nigeria whose use of tea is legendary. Most likely this use of the word
"obi" in Japan is the result of culture drift gone amuck.

I know that there is more than one person in the TeaMail group heavily
involved in the Japanese tea ceremony. You might consider going there with
your questions.

Hold that thought. I've got to go to the dictionary.

Michael
MGoT

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:16:41 GMT, Michael Plant wrote:

> 9/8/05
>
>> I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
>> one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way of
>> Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
>> places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
>> explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket? A
>> pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I am
>> sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to understand
>> (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do attend a
>> Tea Ceremony.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>
> Dave,
>
> I'm a minor, but I'll step in anyway. Obi refers to a group of people in
> Nigeria whose use of tea is legendary. Most likely this use of the word
> "obi" in Japan is the result of culture drift gone amuck.
>
Ummmmmm, perhaps you should take a look at an obi:
http://www.b-zenjapan.com/03/bzj04.p...=60&goods_id=5

Having seen the ceremony numerous times, (and knowing many Japanese),
I can assure you that an obi is a sash-like belt worn with kimono.

--
Cordially,

Sonam Dasara
9/9/2005 10:31:29 AM

Sonam /9/05


> On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:16:41 GMT, Michael Plant wrote:
>
>> 9/8/05
>>
>>> I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
>>> one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way of
>>> Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
>>> places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
>>> explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket? A
>>> pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I am
>>> sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to understand
>>> (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do attend a
>>> Tea Ceremony.
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>> I'm a minor, but I'll step in anyway. Obi refers to a group of people in
>> Nigeria whose use of tea is legendary. Most likely this use of the word
>> "obi" in Japan is the result of culture drift gone amuck.
>>
> Ummmmmm, perhaps you should take a look at an obi:
> http://www.b-zenjapan.com/03/bzj04.p...=60&goods_id=5
>
> Having seen the ceremony numerous times, (and knowing many Japanese),
> I can assure you that an obi is a sash-like belt worn with kimono.


Alright, alright, OK, I was wrong. But, at the price of that one, it hardly
matters, does it now??

Michael

> > Ummmmmm, perhaps you should take a look at an obi:
> > http://www.b-zenjapan.com/03/bzj04.p...=60&goods_id=5
> >
> > Having seen the ceremony numerous times, (and knowing many Japanese),
> > I can assure you that an obi is a sash-like belt worn with kimono.
>
>
> Alright, alright, OK, I was wrong. But, at the price of that one, it hardly
> matters, does it now??
>
> Michael

Is it Yen maybe (with a bum currency sign), in which case it would only
be $17

Mike

"Mike Petro" > wrote in message

> Is it Yen maybe (with a bum currency sign),

I don't think so. It's a reasonable price. Well, you'd be a tea ceremony
teacher, you'd make that money in 1 or
2 hours of lessons.

> in which case it would only be $17

For that, you can get the right to rent onet 2 hours and take photos (no
kidding, such businesses exist in Kyoto).

I got nice ones in second-hand shops for around 50 dollars, after a long
bargaining. My grand-aunts loved those *table clothes*.

Kuri

Wow, is the fabric made from golden thread?

"Sonam Dasara" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 21:13:32 -0500, Dave typed:
>
> > I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
> > one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way
of
> > Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
> > places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
> > explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket?
A
> > pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I
am
> > sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to
understand
> > (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do
attend a
> > Tea Ceremony.
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Dave
> >
>
> The first. An obi is the wide, sash-like belt worn with a kimono.
> However, I am no tea ceremony expert.
> --
> Cordially,
>
> Sonam Dasara
> 9/8/2005 11:22:17 PM

Thank you. I finally thought of Google, and discovered many links, but do
appreciate your confirmation.

Much appreciated...

Dave

"Michael Plant" > wrote in message
...
> 9/8/05
>
> > I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
> > one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way
of
> > Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
> > places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
> > explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket?
A
> > pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I
am
> > sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to
understand
> > (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do
attend a
> > Tea Ceremony.
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
>
>
> Dave,
>
> I'm a minor, but I'll step in anyway. Obi refers to a group of people in
> Nigeria whose use of tea is legendary. Most likely this use of the word
> "obi" in Japan is the result of culture drift gone amuck.
>
> I know that there is more than one person in the TeaMail group heavily
> involved in the Japanese tea ceremony. You might consider going there with
> your questions.
>
> Hold that thought. I've got to go to the dictionary.
>
> Michael
> MGoT
>

Thanks Michael. TeaMail. Is that a mailing list? How can I access or
subscribe to it? Someone heavily into the ceremony would be an absolute
boon at this point.

Many thanks,

Dave

"Mike Petro" > wrote in message

> Wow, is the fabric made from golden thread?

Worse : it's handmade by hands paid at the Japanese rate. Even if they use
machines, they can't produce them like ordinary fabric. That's nice
handicraft and they tend to design patterns for limited series, if not
unique pieces. There exist simpler models without embroideries, for
*everyday* kimonos, but nobody really wears kimonos everyday except if their
job is something like ikebana teacher, etc...
That's an anachronic luxury.

Kuri

>> > Having seen the ceremony numerous times, (and knowing many Japanese),
>> > I can assure you that an obi is a sash-like belt worn with kimono.

Yes, it is used to help prevent obi... I mean obesity.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

9/9/05

>
> "Michael Plant" > wrote in message
> ...
>> 9/8/05
>>
>>> I am trying to study the Japanese Tea Ceremony before actually attending
>>> one, and have a question for the Gods of Tea. In Chado: The Japanese Way
> of
>>> Tea it is said that the host folds the silk wiping cloth (fukusa?) and
>>> places it in his obi before the guests arrive. But I cannot find any
>>> explanation of what this "obi" is. Is it a belt? A belt with a pocket?
> A
>>> pocket in the kimono? Someone please enlighten me. And be prepared, I
> am
>>> sure I will be back with more questions. I really would like to
> understand
>>> (at least a little) what I am seeing and participating in when I do
> attend a
>>> Tea Ceremony.
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>> I'm a minor, but I'll step in anyway. Obi refers to a group of people in
>> Nigeria whose use of tea is legendary. Most likely this use of the word
>> "obi" in Japan is the result of culture drift gone amuck.
>>
>> I know that there is more than one person in the TeaMail group heavily
>> involved in the Japanese tea ceremony. You might consider going there with
>> your questions.
>>
>> Hold that thought. I've got to go to the dictionary.
>>
>> Michael
>> MGoT
>>
>
> Thanks Michael. TeaMail. Is that a mailing list? How can I access or
> subscribe to it? Someone heavily into the ceremony would be an absolute
> boon at this point.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Dave
>


Hi Dave,

Here's a link to the TeaMail group. On the page appears a "join this group"
button, so you ought to be able to join up from there. Each internet group
has its style, and TeaMail leans heavily toward the established vendor side.
If I recall correctly, the Japanese tea ceremony is of special interest to
Robin, the owner of the internet shop called "The Fragrant Leaf." There are
other people on the list who enjoy the ceremony.

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teamail/>

Michael

>
> Hi Dave,
>
> Here's a link to the TeaMail group. On the page appears a "join this
> group"
> button, so you ought to be able to join up from there. Each internet group
> has its style, and TeaMail leans heavily toward the established vendor
> side.
> If I recall correctly, the Japanese tea ceremony is of special interest to
> Robin, the owner of the internet shop called "The Fragrant Leaf." There
> are
> other people on the list who enjoy the ceremony.
>
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teamail/>
>
> Michael

but be careful, you may get yourself banned for no apparant reason! Why yes,
that is a chip on my shoulder! Rather impressive size, isn't it?
Marlene

"Marlene Wood" > wrote in message
...
> >
> > Hi Dave,
> >
> > Here's a link to the TeaMail group. On the page appears a "join this
> > group"
> > button, so you ought to be able to join up from there. Each internet
group
> > has its style, and TeaMail leans heavily toward the established vendor
> > side.
> > If I recall correctly, the Japanese tea ceremony is of special interest
to
> > Robin, the owner of the internet shop called "The Fragrant Leaf." There
> > are
> > other people on the list who enjoy the ceremony.
> >
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teamail/>
> >
> > Michael
>
> but be careful, you may get yourself banned for no apparant reason! Why
yes,
> that is a chip on my shoulder! Rather impressive size, isn't it?
> Marlene
>
>

Thanks, Michael, and you too, Marlene. I found TeaMail through Google, and
subscribed a few days ago. (It took a few days to get authorized...?) I
have been reading, trying to get a feel for the group, and have the
impression that one must be more careful than on most of the NG's I have
participated in. Not sure where I get this impression from, but it's there.
What does "the established vender side" mean? I would really like to *not*
screw this up.

Any help is further appreciated...

Dave

Marlene 9/12/05

>>
>> Hi Dave,
>>
>> Here's a link to the TeaMail group. On the page appears a "join this
>> group"
>> button, so you ought to be able to join up from there. Each internet group
>> has its style, and TeaMail leans heavily toward the established vendor
>> side.
>> If I recall correctly, the Japanese tea ceremony is of special interest to
>> Robin, the owner of the internet shop called "The Fragrant Leaf." There
>> are
>> other people on the list who enjoy the ceremony.
>>
>> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teamail/>
>>
>> Michael
>
> but be careful, you may get yourself banned for no apparant reason! Why yes,
> that is a chip on my shoulder! Rather impressive size, isn't it?
> Marlene
>
>
I'm sorry, but your comment eludes me. Kindly -- and I don't often say this
lightly or often -- let's take the discussion off-group, if you want to
continue it. Why waste others' valuable bandwidth, after all?

Michael

9/12/05

>
> "Marlene Wood" > wrote in message
> ...
>>>
>>> Hi Dave,
>>>
>>> Here's a link to the TeaMail group. On the page appears a "join this
>>> group"
>>> button, so you ought to be able to join up from there. Each internet
> group
>>> has its style, and TeaMail leans heavily toward the established vendor
>>> side.
>>> If I recall correctly, the Japanese tea ceremony is of special interest
> to
>>> Robin, the owner of the internet shop called "The Fragrant Leaf." There
>>> are
>>> other people on the list who enjoy the ceremony.
>>>
>>> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teamail/>
>>>
>>> Michael
>>
>> but be careful, you may get yourself banned for no apparant reason! Why
> yes,
>> that is a chip on my shoulder! Rather impressive size, isn't it?
>> Marlene
>>
>>
>
> Thanks, Michael, and you too, Marlene. I found TeaMail through Google, and
> subscribed a few days ago. (It took a few days to get authorized...?) I
> have been reading, trying to get a feel for the group, and have the
> impression that one must be more careful than on most of the NG's I have
> participated in. Not sure where I get this impression from, but it's there.
> What does "the established vender side" mean? I would really like to *not*
> screw this up.
>
> Any help is further appreciated...

You won't screw anything up. Well known vendors such as Harney tend to post
their wares on the given approved ware hawking days. There are people who
know the industry better than anyone else, I'd venture to say, and some
truly excellent writers whose perspectives on the teas they drink are well
worth getting to know. On the otherhand, the childish ranting found on some
other groups will be quickly banned from electronic print. There is
unabashed control, but it is honest and out front. Worry not.

Michael