savor — guide to food & dining on the azalea coast
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Tea Time
By Brandy Brinson • Photography by Allison Potter
The azalea is so entrenched in Southern society — particularly here on the Azalea Coast of
southeastern North Carolina — it’s easy to forget that this floral beauty has its roots in Japan. As we watch
the azaleas burst into color this spring, we also look to other local legacies passed down from Japan.
There are several examples of Japanese culture in our area — from a local teacher of the tea ceremony
to traditional teahouses, to tea bowls and local collections of authentic Japanese pottery. Like many aspects
of the culture, the associated customs involve precision, symbolism and elegance.
Tea bowls (chawan). Top row: Iga, Bizen, Shino. Middle row: Ki-Seto, Raku, Asahi. Bottom row: Shidoro,
Madara-Karatsu, Zeze. Opposite: Focusing on the sounds of the tea ceremony, like pouring water, is a
delight for Mitzi Ito.
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