One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.
I had heard of The Book of Tea somewhere and wanted to read it for the 1900-1950 Readathon. It was written by Okakura Kakuzo in 1906.
The Book of Tea is part instructional manual, part philosophy, part history, all about tea.
I’m not sure where I first heard of this, or what I was expecting from this book. I didn’t realize that it was going to be basically a eastern philosophy text. It explains and explores Teasim. How that philosophy fits in with other eastern views, how it is or may be responsible for movements in art, structure and life. Kakuzo also pokes a lot of fun or is openly critical about how the western world views tea and what they do with it. He often makes the comparison between the good that has come from the eastern obsession with tea and how it evokes opposite effects in the west. I really liked that this was very simple and easy to read. Although it got a little snarky in places, I think this is not a bad place to start with East Asian philosophy. I would recommend this book to those interested in Eastern studies, Japanese history, students interested in non western history and studies, those who love Japanese culture, and of course people who really enjoy tea!
What philosophy books have you read? Which area of philosophy do you most enjoy learning about?
This book can be seen in my June Wrap Up.