Original language:
English Translated from: English
Authors: Okakura, Kakuzō
Translated by: Juras, Tadas
ISBN: 978-9955-23-865-2
Published in: Vilnius
Published on: 2015
Publisher: Baltos Lankos
Kakuzō Okakura(February 14, 1862 – September 2, 1913) was a Japanese-born art historian and critic, most widely known for his great contributions in solidifying Japanese art and history in the Western society. In his long essay “The Book of Tea” he writes about the ritual of drinking tea as well as the Japanese tea ceremony, its’ history, development and influence in both Western and Eastern worlds. In the book he also coins the term “Teaism”- a sort of philosophy of tea, which is …explained as being closely related to Daoism and Zennism. Okakura also explains how Teaism is related to the understanding of Eastern art, Japanese tea house architecture and interior design.
Kakuzō Okakura had great knowledge of both Eastern and Western cultures, which is why he does such a great job at explaining not only the differences but also the similarities between the two.
The premise of the book is also interesting, because it was written for a Western audience in English. Overall the book is less about the making and techniques of tea and more about introducing the reader to Japanese art, history and culture and gives perspective on the philosophy of tea, the search for harmony.