Linda Mosley’s Chado Training

In 1968, I was deciding whether to “major” in ceramics, jewelry-making or fiber arts at the University of Illinois. I was drawn to Japanese pottery that was in tune with the nature of clay, and took a course in Japanese Arts by Shozo Sato.

Sato explained that many highly valued handmade objects are used in chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony). And he demonstrated that the act of making tea is a thoughtfully choreographed series of movements in space that could have a profound aesthetic and meditative effect on the participants. Although the procedures for making tea are very specific, the host chooses a unique combination of utensils to create a new experience each time, called ichigo ichi-e. I realized that applying the economy and elegance of movement of chanoyu would improve my pottery making, but graduated before Sato began giving lessons.

At last, in 1983-84, while living in Chicago, I studied with Mrs. Minnie Kubose, tea name Somi (Urasenke School). Back in St. Louis, where there was no sensei, I continued to practice by making tea for my pottery students and colleagues. In 2008, when we moved to Austin, Texas, I was fortunate to begin study with Dr. Sheila Fling, tea name Soshin. In 2016, I was honored to be advanced to the Joukyuu Level and presented the Hikitsugi—Instructor Certificate.

Summary

1968 - Undergraduate courses: “Introduction to Japanese Arts” by Shozo Sato, and Asian Art History, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

1969 - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics Major

1975 - Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics

1983-84 - Urasenke Chanoyu study with Mrs. Minnie Kubose, tea name Somi, Chicago, Illinois.

2008-present - Urasenke Chanoyu study with Dr. Sheila Fling, tea name Soshin, Austin area, Texas. Since 2008, Dr. Fling has recommended Linda for nine official licenses to study many procedures. In 2016, Dr. Fling recommended her for the Hikitsugi license to study and the fourth degree Instructor Certificate. In 2018, Dr. Fling recommended her for three more licenses to study and the third degree teaching certificate.

2011 - Chado Seminar with Kazuo Machida Soho Gyotei, at the Chado Urasenke Tankokai, Dallas-Forth Association.

2018 - Chado Seminar with Kazuo Machida Soho, Gyotei, at the Chado Urasenke Tankokai, Houston Association.