The definitive visual edition of a classic masterpiece.
The Book of Tea was originally written in English by Kakuzo Okakura in
1906. Since then, it has been recognized, together with Bushido, as one
of the most important books written by Japanese authors in English in
the early 20th century. The Book of Tea is said to be the definitive
guide to Japanese aesthetics. Okakura expresses the sublimity of a
non-Christian culture at a time when Christianity was the dominant
religion and cultural tradition. At the same time, Okakura prays for a
world in harmony under mutual understanding between the West and the
East. The Book of Tea is not a book on how to conduct a tea ceremony.
Instead, it introduces aesthetic and cultural aspects of Japanese life
to Western audiences through Teaism by elucidating the Japanese tea
ceremony's relationship with Zen, Taoism and Kado, and, more broadly,
through a discussion of Japanese aesthetic principles, the essence of
art and the true meaning of life.
This concept is visually enhanced by photographs taken by Yasuhiro
Okawa, offering readers the opportunity to appreciate a richer
experience of the world presented in The Book of Tea.
