The Book of Tea

by Okakura Kakuzo

Overview

An enlightening account of how the Japanese tea ceremony influences so much of Japanese life and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529021066
Publisher:	Macmillan Collector's Library
Publication date:	02/04/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,088,549
Product dimensions:	3.98(w) x 6.27(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Okakura Kakuzō (1863-1913) was a Japanese scholar. Born in Tokyo, Okakura was the son of a silk merchant. At fifteen, having learned English at the school of Christian missionary Dr. Curtis Hepburn, he enrolled at Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied under esteemed art historian Ernest Fenollosa. In 1887, Okakura cofounded the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, but was ousted from his role several years later. He spent his career as one of Japan’s leading cultural ambassadors, travelling throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia in his capacity as a lecturer. In 1910, he became the first head of the Asian art division of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. His major literary works, most of which were written in English, include The Ideals of the East with Special Reference to the Art of Japan (1903), The Awakening of Japan (1904), and The Book of Tea (1906).

Editorial Reviews

Kakuzo was a leading figure in Japanese art and culture at the end of the 19th century, and this book, first published in 1906, is a classic treatise explicating the philosophical nuances of tea and the tea ceremony in Japanese culture. This edition contains an introduction by Liza Dalby who was the first American trained as a Geisha in the 1970s, and elegant photos by Daniel Proctor. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"A beautiful work of art in tribute to a beautiful work of art." — Norwood Pratt, San Francisco


"For those of us who, for years, have loved and been influenced by Okakura's prose and philosophy, this new edition brings fresh insight and clarity to the work. With sensitivity, admiration and profound appreciation for Okakura, Bruce Richardson unravels the complex and intriguing story that lies behind the original Book of Tea. All tea lovers will treasure this beautiful and valuable work." — Jane Pettigrew, London


"I had read about Okakura and visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, but never realized the importance of the relationship between the two and how they embodied the bridge between East and West. Nor, until now, had I taken the time to read the entire book. How I wish that I had read it before I visited Japan where I learned that 'Zen is another word for tea.' The chapter titled The Cup of Humanity contains a sentence that seems ripped from today’s headlines, 'The heaven of modern humanity is indeed shattered in the Cyclopean struggle for wealth and power… Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea.' I’m resisting the urge to swallow this book whole, and forcing myself to savor it one cup of tea at a time." — Elizabeth Knight, author of Tea with Friends

From the Publisher