Seasonal Stories
Exploring Japanese Aesthetics, Mindfulness, and the Rhythm of Seasons
Reflections on Japanese aesthetics, tea culture, and timeless traditions
The Lingering Moon and Kintsugi
A crescent moon lingers in the morning sky. Another waits at the bottom of my tea bowl. Through autumn tea and kintsugi, I reflect on taking time to cherish what matters.
Moon Gazing — A Quiet Moment of Gratitude
For centuries in Japan, the autumn moon has inspired poetry, quiet reflection, and gratitude for the harvest. Even the moon on its way to fullness is cherished, each phase carrying its own name and beauty. As it grows rounder each evening, perhaps it can remind us to pause and look up, too.
Minazuki: The Same Sweet, Never the Same
Every June, I make Minazuki, a traditional Japanese sweet that marks the changing of the seasons. Through this quiet ritual, I'm reminded that happiness is often found not in seeking something new, but in rediscovering what faithfully returns each year.