The Book of Tea

The Book of Tea

- By Okakura Kakuzo

Upon this long journey of mine that has been one of a tea merchant trading in loose leaf tea for profit, there has come from time to time a gentle drift into an ethereal world that on the surface is all about tea. But in fact is about much more.

Running parallel to being a tea merchant, I am also a martial artist. And as such, apart from learning how to fight, a martial artist eventually comes across the world of martial arts culture and customs, where at its centre lies tea.

In martial arts culture, tea is more than just a drink. It carries with it meanings that transcends the here and now.

So when the chance came to get hold of a copy of The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo, I jumped at the chance.

While on the surface, the book is about tea and the way of tea: Chado. It is much more than that. It is also about the higher aspects of Japanese culture like Zen, samurai and history.

Hence, for those seeking to go deeper into the refinements of Japanese culture, this is a book I would recommend as required reading whether a person drinks tea or not. Or is a martial artist or not.

Having said that, The Book of Tea is also much more. Without realising it, the book carries within it the seeds of Zen without explicitly stating it. At first unseen, its presence is felt strongest when I flick through the pages and pick up interesting tidbits.

Tidbits that seem to be there at the right moment to educate the mind with the most mundane. For in Zen, the mundane is just as equally important as the spiritual.

 

Teas.com.au book giveaway - 12 weeks to Christmas
12 WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS - 
YOUR TEA LIFESTYLE CHALLENGE 
For 12 weeks, we will review 1 book per week - the book reviewed is also the one we give away.

To enter to win the "book of the week":
1) email your friends and (bcc) us of this email address
2) add "TEA LIFESTYLE CHALLENGE 2" anywhere in your email to share the review.

One friend emailed = one chance to win.
The more friends emailed, the more chances to win.
Enter as many "book of the week" draws as you like by sharing the review as mentioned above.

Each draw is open to enter for 1 week from the review post date - from midnight 15 Oct to midnight 21 Oct 2018, Sydney (Australia time)

Have fun and read for your pleasure and leisure, with a delightful cup of tea!

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