Book of Tea [CD] [Audio CD]

Kakuzo Okakura (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2008

The Book of Tea was written by Okakura Kakuzo in the early 20th century. It was first published in 1906, and has since been republished many times. - In the book, Kakuzo introduces the term Teaism and how Tea has affected nearly every aspect of Japanese culture, thought, and life. The book is noted to be accessible to Western audiences because though Kakuzo was born and raised Japanese, he was trained from a young age to speak English; and would speak it all his life, becoming proficient at communicating his thoughts in the Western Mind. In his book he elucidates such topics as Zen and Taoism, but also the secular aspects of Tea and Japanese life. The book emphasizes how Teaism taught the Japanese many things; most importantly, simplicity. Kakuzo argues that this tea-induced simplicity affected art and architecture, and he was a long-time student of the visual arts. He ends the book with a chapter on Tea Masters, and spends some time talking about Sen no Rikyu and his contribution to the Japanese Tea Ceremony. 2-CDs. CDs will play on ANY CD player. Click on the PDQ Audioworks link under the title above for a complete listing of all our audio books available here on Amazon.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: PDQ AUDIOWORKS (2008)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001B41TRM
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,675,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing recognition, July 19, 2010

By 

François M (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Tea (Kindle Edition)

I loved this book. It explains the essence of Taoism, Japanese culture, and I recognized so much of my own experience of religion - originally Christian protestant, not practising. This book is a real eye opener. If you are looking for a book about tea you may be disappointed, it is a book about a way of life.

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tempest in Tea Cup, July 27, 2000

By 

"eido" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Tea (Paperback)

I haphazardly discovered this book when I had undertaken the task of better acquainting myself with tea. Totally ignorant, I opened the book half expecting to find dry writing on types of tea leaves. Instead I discovered something deeply beautiful. This book does indeed teach the history of tea and its preparation, but it also provides an eloquent introduction to Teaism and other aspects of Japanese culture. Okakura wavers most delicately between prose and poetry, between the educational and the spiritual. The words linger with you long after you have finished, and tea, once an ordinary beverage, acquires a soul-- a source of peace.

"Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. It inculcates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order. It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible thing we know as life."

(Chapter One, The Cup of Humanity)

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy of Tea, December 14, 2010

By 

Jacob (Saitama, Japan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Tea (Kindle Edition)

This books is a quick and informative introduction to the philosophy underpinnig "Teaism". The book outlines how tea masters tried to live their lives according to the simple grace of the Japanese tea ceremony.

For those looking for detailed instructions on conducting a tea ceremony, look elsewhere. But for those who want a handbook on a way of life, read further