ANDO: LIVE

June 4th, 2014

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Here are some photographs from our solo exhibition of Japanese potter Masanobu Ando’s work called “The way of tea”.
All of the photographs were taken by Toyomi Nakamura of Toki no Kumo, who came along with Mr. Ando.

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One of Mr. Ando’s travelling Tea boxes called a “Chabako” This one is an old Japanese lunch box from the Showa period.

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We thought serving some deliciously made maple candies from Toronto based Ninutik would be the perfect sweet to serve with Green tea, and it also brought a little bit of locality to the festivities.

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A special medicine spoon made from whale bone re-purposed as a tea scoop. The art of repurposing in the Tea Ceremony is called mitate, and Mr. Ando is very well known for doing this.

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It was a busy event. Thank you to everyone who attended the exhibition!

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Tea Ceremony tools commissioned by Masanobu Ando.

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A new bowl shaped ceramic colander with a hole for hanging when not in use.

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A very lovely arrangement from out newest employee Reiko.

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Finally a full collection of mugs available to purchase!

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Signing autographs.

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The main event of the night was the Tea Ceremony performance held in our front window using all works made or found by Masanobu Ando.

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A very special Tea canister made by a monk from a famous Buddhist sect over 300 years ago. This particular Buddhist sect made everything including their own plates, clothing, furniture. Essentially anything needed, they relied only on themselves, a commitment very similar to the American Shaker movement. This style of tea canister has been replicated by a famous lacquer-ware artist around 100 years ago, but the one Mr. Ando brought with him is an original.

He went on to say this canister is the inspiration for his silver glazed objects. What an honour!

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Adding hot water to the bowl.

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The bowl is incredibly raw and powerful.

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Gaining an audience out front.

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Maple sweets.

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Little Anzu got to sit with his mother Amy to share the moment.

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Taking his sip.

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A fantastic evening, thank you again for everyone who came out for the exhibition!

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I had a chance to add a lot of items from the exhibition to our website this morning, although most of them we only have 1 item each so if you have your eye on something please let me know as it will only be available for a short time.

Here is the link to our webstore.

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Chanoyu: A solo exhibition for Masanobu Ando

May 31st, 2014

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Thursday night we hosted our second solo exhibition with Japanese potter Masanobu Ando. We were very happy to see so many familiar faces coming to greet Mr. Ando again during his second visit. Thank you very much for making him feel at home.

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One of the only sculptures in the exhibition, a “box of air”.

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During the exhibition we had a focus on Tea Ceremony tools, and the center of the Tea Ceremony is the Chawan or Tea Bowl.

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A tea whisk stand, and cloth holder.

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I really love these silver glazed ceramic trays, and wanted one for myself but alas they sold right away.

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A torch shaped wall vase, such a symbol for humanity it’s something every ancient society has in common.

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Maybe some of our favourite pieces in the show are these large scale wall-mounted flower vases.

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Flower plates.

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A “Coffee Ceremony” Chabako. All of the beautiful implements fit in the gorgeous bamboo basket below.

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A specially made Tea box with objects made or commissioned by Mr. Ando. Sorry this also sold right away.

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For a limited time, full sets of coffee cups!

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A unique Mizusashi with a geometric handle (a water jar used in the Tea Ceremony).

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Amazing ceramic pedestals for serving food or display.

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A special edition of the coffee funnel in a silver glaze.

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Mr. Ando performed a special Tea Ceremony in our front window. People crowded around him from the inside and wrapped all around the front window. It was quite the spectacle, I wish I took some pictures! If you have any, please send some to me.

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A close up of some of the special Tea Utensils, I’m sorry none of these are for sale.

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Please let us know if you see anything you might be interested in.

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Masanobu Ando: Solo Exhibition

May 21st, 2014

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We are really excited to announce our second exhibition for Japanese potter and Tea Master Masanobu Ando. For this exhibition we are diving further into our exploration of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. We will be offering Tea Ceremony tools made by Masanobu Ando, considered the highest level of expression in his work, as well as a large collection of unique ceramics for the home.

The opening reception will be held Thursday May 29th, and Masanobu Ando will be hosting a public Tea Ceremony for our visitors.

Above: One of the unique Tea bowls made especially for the exhibition.

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A wall mounted flower vase.

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A silver glazed coffee funnel.

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One of our favorite pieces, a beautiful black and iron glazed footed bowl.

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A silver glazed milk pitcher.

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We will also be selling a special Chabako (Traveling tea box) put together by Masanobu Ando commissioning work from some of the most renowned artisans in Japan. It is a really special collection for anyone interested in learning Chad?.

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We hope to see you next week!

 

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Mini Mjölk Part 2

May 18th, 2014

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Things have been quiet on the blog lately and with (I assume) good reason. Introducing Howell. We’ve been spending the last three weeks getting to know him, and he’s the sweetest little guy.

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On the left, about an hour old. On the right, two days old. It’s been interesting becoming reacquainted with the ways of a newborn! It’s definitely more enjoyable this time around, though I can’t say the toddler anxiety is!

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Elodie and baby brother Howell.

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Daddy and Howell. [This pic is by our friend Taylor Shute.]

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Mama and Howell.

 

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This week we also went to High Park to see the cherry blossoms, though they weren’t quite in full bloom. But with two little kids now we take what we can get!

Elodie is ready to explore!

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Annual cherry blossom kid pic, now with more kid.

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Hanging at the duck pond.

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Fiddle Leaf fig ficus

April 14th, 2014

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I just hauled up a huge 3-stem Fiddle Leaf fig ficus up two flights of stairs and man oh man is it big. Jurassic park big.

We purchased it from a lovely little plant shop called Dynasty on Queen West.

I haven’t even potted it yet, I just thought since it is a rainy day it would be a good opportunity to take a couple photos of it. I’ve seen people actually prune off the bottom leaves and train these into some incredible shapes, maybe something to consider down the road, however we like the simple vertical of this one.

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The Spanish chair with its terracotta like natural leather upholstery. I’ve had a lot of customers tell me they don’t like terracotta pots, and whenever I hear this I think it is such a shame. It is a simple and beautiful material, and the colour is spectacular, especially after it ages and devolopes stains and calcium build ups on the exterior.

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It’s also creating a little privacy screen before you enter the living room.

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I think I have to stop buying plants….

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Sucabaruca in Disegno

April 8th, 2014

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You can read a really nice interview with Luca Nichetto, Alissa Coe, and myself about the process of making Sucabaruca on Disegno right now. Please give it a read if you have a moment.

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