Review: The Book of Tea

Title: The Book of Tea

Author: Okakura Kakuzo

Publisher: 14th October 2021 by Amber Books Ltd

Pages: 96 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: non fiction, culture Japan, philosophy, tea
My Rating: 3.5 crowns

Synopsis:

‘Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage,’ are the opening words of Okakura Kakuzō’s The Book of Tea, written in English in 1906 for a Western audience. The book is a long essay celebrating the secular art of the Japanese tea ceremony and linking its importance with Zen Buddhism and Taoism. It is both about cultural life, aesthetics and philosophy, emphasising how Teaism – a term Kakuzō coined – taught the Japanese many things; most importantly, simplicity, which can be seen in Japanese art and architecture. Looking back at the evolution of the Japanese tea ceremony, Kakuzō argues that Teaism, in itself, is one of the profound universal remedies that two parties could sit down to. Where the West had scoffed at Eastern religion and morals, it held Eastern tea ceremonies in high regard. With a new introduction, this is an exquisitely produced edition of a classic text made using traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques. Surely it’s time for tea.

My Thoughts

‘The simplicity of the tea-room and its freedom from vulgarity make it truly a sanctuary from the vexations of the outer world.’

Okakura Kakuzo was a scholar who promoted Japanese arts last century and is best remembered as the author of The Book of Tea (1906). 

‘There is a subtle charm in the taste of tea that makes it irresistible and capable of idealization.’

Basically this is an essay written for a Western audience on ‘teaism’ and its contribution to Japanese life. Kakuzo looks at the ceremony associated with tea in relation to the wider themes of Taoism and art for example. 

‘Tea with us became more than an idealization of the form of drinking: it is a religion of the art of life.’

The main theme is that teaism has been central in teaching the Japanese the importance of simplicity. Short and succinct, this is an interesting read on Japanese culture. 

‘Do we not need the tea-room more than ever?’

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This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.