Above all else our purpose is to share tea and tea culture. We want everyone to drink tea and understand not only the importance it has in history but also the benefits of adding tea to daily life.
This teahut is modeled after Japanese Chashitsu used for Matcha ceremony (chanoyu) during the Sengoku period. Tea was the background for much of Fuedal Japan. Although we drink other teas besides Japanese, the style and atmosphere is inspired by our friends from the Land of the Rising Sun.
I offer my services and knowledge of the tea world to you in the form of Classes, Training for service/hospitality, special tastings and ceremonies and more.
This teahut is modeled after Japanese Chashitsu used for Matcha ceremony (chanoyu) during the Sengoku period. Tea was the background for much of Fuedal Japan. Although we drink other teas besides Japanese, the style and atmosphere is inspired by our friends from the Land of the Rising Sun.
I offer my services and knowledge of the tea world to you in the form of Classes, Training for service/hospitality, special tastings and ceremonies and more.
Old Ways. Simple Living
Many of us gravitate towards tea as a way to slow down. If we are moving too quickly and not aware, we can often lose sight of the our state of home, relationships and health. Tea can help reign that in as we need to take care while making tea.
In addition to the mindfulness Tea brings out in us, it also serves as a reminder to what can be created the “old-fashioned way” by hand. A teapot made by hand, a scoop carved and finished by a single person with a single chisel or even a tea that is picked and finished many miles away from the nearest machine, all remind us. Here in Vermont, there are still many things done entirely by hand. From syrup, cheese and bread, to beer, pottery and especially gardens.
Being able to grow and create from scratch is not only self sufficient but also more rewarding. Your hard work pays off in a more immediate sense then say getting a paycheck 2 weeks after you did the work, then driving to the store to spend the money on food and gas.
When I look through books about tea history or really any long standing culture, I don’t necessarily look at it through nostalgic eyes. I don’t feel that far removed from it. I think, yep that makes sense, “we could do that” or “that seems like a good tool to use” Building the “Setting Sun Teahut” with my dad using wood from our land and minimal tools feels better than paying someone to build from a kit and coming back from working somewhere to see the daily progress.
Going to the orchard, garden or blueberry bushes to pick and eat food feels better than being in place without land and garden space, having little money or no transportation and not knowing where your next meal is coming from.
That’s not to say modern amenities aren’t useful. I am writing this on a computer and you are no doubt reading this on a similar computation machine. These things are great but not necessary to live a fulfilling life. Most people still have heroes and role models that grew up and survived without these things.
If tea reminds us that we are capable of learning another culture, another way, then perhaps it really does mean we can learn to cook new foods, learn to grow vegetables and learn to paint or make pottery.
Think about that the next time you sit down with some leaves and your teapot.
-Your humble tea-hermit Ben
Photos by Sarah Delia of Obsidian Photographic
Many of us gravitate towards tea as a way to slow down. If we are moving too quickly and not aware, we can often lose sight of the our state of home, relationships and health. Tea can help reign that in as we need to take care while making tea.
In addition to the mindfulness Tea brings out in us, it also serves as a reminder to what can be created the “old-fashioned way” by hand. A teapot made by hand, a scoop carved and finished by a single person with a single chisel or even a tea that is picked and finished many miles away from the nearest machine, all remind us. Here in Vermont, there are still many things done entirely by hand. From syrup, cheese and bread, to beer, pottery and especially gardens.
Being able to grow and create from scratch is not only self sufficient but also more rewarding. Your hard work pays off in a more immediate sense then say getting a paycheck 2 weeks after you did the work, then driving to the store to spend the money on food and gas.
When I look through books about tea history or really any long standing culture, I don’t necessarily look at it through nostalgic eyes. I don’t feel that far removed from it. I think, yep that makes sense, “we could do that” or “that seems like a good tool to use” Building the “Setting Sun Teahut” with my dad using wood from our land and minimal tools feels better than paying someone to build from a kit and coming back from working somewhere to see the daily progress.
Going to the orchard, garden or blueberry bushes to pick and eat food feels better than being in place without land and garden space, having little money or no transportation and not knowing where your next meal is coming from.
That’s not to say modern amenities aren’t useful. I am writing this on a computer and you are no doubt reading this on a similar computation machine. These things are great but not necessary to live a fulfilling life. Most people still have heroes and role models that grew up and survived without these things.
If tea reminds us that we are capable of learning another culture, another way, then perhaps it really does mean we can learn to cook new foods, learn to grow vegetables and learn to paint or make pottery.
Think about that the next time you sit down with some leaves and your teapot.
-Your humble tea-hermit Ben
Photos by Sarah Delia of Obsidian Photographic