The Book of Tea A Japanese Harmony of Art, Culture and the Simple Life

The Book of Tea was written by Okakura Kakuzo in 1906. An influential book linking the importance of tea to Japanese life, The Book of Tea explains the idea of Teaism, the spiritual and harmonious drinking of the beverage. Originally written in English, the volume is now considered one of the great Tea classics in literature. Focusing on how tea drinking emphasizes the importance of simplicity, the author argues that it is because of tea that certain art forms emerged in Japan and around the world. The book ends with a chapter on Tea Masters, those who the author feels are experts in Teaism.