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 accessibile to Western audiences because Kakuzo was taught at a young age to speak English; and spoke it all his life, becoming proficient at communicating his thoughts to the Western Mind. In his book, he discusses such topics as Zen and Taoism, but also the secular aspects of Tea and Japanese life. The book emphasises 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.

we will meet to discuss "The Teahouse Fire", by Ellis Avery.  This 2006 novel is described thusly on the jacket cover:  "The story of two women whose lives intersect in late-nineteenth-century Japan, "The Teahouse Fire" is also a portrait of one of the most fascinating places and times in all of history -- Japan as it opens its doors to the West.  It was a period when one's choice of kimono could make a political statement, when women stopped blackening their teeth to profess allegiance to Western ideas, and when Japan's most mysterious rite -- the tea ceremony -- became not just a sacramental meal, but a ritual battlefield."

Our discussions are wonderful and we are learning so much!  We hope you will consider joining us.  For more information call  Georgia French at  672-5663.