'Book of Tea'

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews Kakuzo Okakura's 'Book of Tea'. According to the paper, 'Book of Tea' provides a potent and stimulating introduction to Japanese culture. The paper then takes a look at the idea of Teaism, a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. The paper explains that by focusing on the possibilities of perfecting something small, like brewing and serving a perfect cup of tea, with all the correct ceremony, a sense of harmony and control is attained, even in light of the imperfections of a confusing world.

From the Paper:

"Okakura's own prose, with its attitude of whimsy rather than worshipfulness: "What a tempest in a tea cup...Perhaps I betray my own ignorance of the Tea Cult by being so outspoken," is in keeping with the principles of Teaism that he outlines. He makes delightful use of the religious nature of tea, poking fun at Westerners who dislike tea, who call drinking tea a filthy custom as heretics. This lack of reverence towards tea is a key, ironic part of Japanese religiosity, he implies. By not taking things too seriously, the true ethos of tea is manifest. Tea is served with deliberation, but ultimately the pourer knows that it does not matter very much in the grand scheme of things."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Okakura, Kazuko. "The Book of Tea." [20 Nov 2006] e-text available at <http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/tea.htma>

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