• When the Water Begins to Dry

    From October 3–7, Japan enters 水始涸 — Mizu hajimete karuru, “water begins to dry up.” This quiet microseason marks the draining of rice paddies before harvest and the landscape’s shift from summer green to autumn gold.

    admin

    /

  • Tsukimi — Welcoming Autumn Under the Moon

    A warm introduction to Tsukimi, Japan’s autumn moon-viewing tradition — from seasonal decorations and dango to the simple act of appreciating the moon. Discover how it is celebrated and join Biyori for a Tsukimi-inspired tea gathering with matcha, wagashi and seasonal activities.

  • The Festival of Long Life: What Choyo no Sekku Can Teach Us About Slowing Down

    Every September 9th, Japan quietly marks Choyo no Sekku — the Chrysanthemum Festival, and the last of its five sacred seasonal celebrations. It’s a story about longevity, patience, and a flower shaped by hand into wagashi. Here’s what it can teach us about slowing down — and where to experience it yourself, right here in…

  • Is Summer Ending Already? A Seasonal Nerikiri by the Rhine

    It was still August, but the low Rhine and dry, curling leaves already looked like the beginning of autumn.

  • A Family Birthday with Nerikiri — and the Meaning of Hōzuki during Obon

    Recently, a family from Frankfurt visited me for a private nerikiri workshop during their stay in Düsseldorf. It was a particularly special occasion: their son’s birthday. Instead of choosing a typical birthday activity, they wanted to try something new together and experience a small part of Japanese culture. For the workshop, I had prepared four…

  • A Birthday Celebration with Matcha and Koicha

    Yesterday, I welcomed a couple who had chosen to celebrate her birthday with a small tea experience. I prepared a bowl of matcha for each of them and served it together with a blue kingyokukan inspired by the place where the sea seems to meet the sky. I had hoped that its transparent blue colour…

  • Kann man eine japanische Teezeremonie auch ohne Seiza erleben?

    Eine japanische Teezeremonie muss nicht im Seiza stattfinden. Erfahre, wie Teezeremonie am Tisch funktioniert und warum auch Gäste mit Knie- oder Rückenbeschwerden, Schwangere und Anfänger die japanische Teekultur entspannt erleben können.