Did you ever read or write a love letter? If no, you are in luck. If yes, please read this book and compare it with the love letter you have read or written. This book is a 100 page love letter to Tea; that too, an excellent one. There are several quotes in this book which would take me 10 life times to come up with. Simply put, this book is poetry in prose.
This book is not just about Tea. It is about Eastern philosophy; it is about Japan; it is about art, aesthetic, and beauty; and most importantly, it is about life. In the guise of "The Schools of Tea" preparation and their evolution, Kakuzo explains the various natural changes that happen as a part of cultural evolution. Through "Teaism", he talks about the virtues and vice of Taoism and Zenism. Through "Tea Room" and its description, he guides us through the discipline required to develop aesthetic sense and peace. Through "Art Appreciation", he lays our narcissism bare naked and forces us to reckon with ourselves. Through "Flowers", he invites us to experience the natural beauty all around us and to live and grow with them. Finally, with "Tea Masters", he demonstrates the dedication and strength required to devote oneself to an objective.
I picked up this book because it was mentioned in the book on Caffeine that I described in my other blog post. From the time I developed interest in specialty coffee, I watched hundreds of videos and dozens of podcasts on coffee and Caffeine. Most of these talked about the taste, preparation, features, and descriptions of these drinks. Given the age of consumerist capitalism, for some reason, instead of serving as a beverage of social bond and intimacy, Coffee has become a beverage of money, snobbery, and pleasure. Yes, indeed, the pleasure of drinking a freshly brewed french press coffee or an espresso from a skillful barista is unmatched. However, I do not find much devotion for coffee or the individual expertise in all of the discussions. I would be lying if I said that none of the people I have met have any devotion for coffee, however, I do not see it as a prime aspect of the beverage.
The book of tea, on the other hand, talked about Tea as a philosophy. This book is as much about the beverage as the human preparing it, the environment surrounding it, and the life experience after consuming it. Does it have its exaggerations? Sure. Does it fetishise the trivial? Sometimes. But don't read this book for information, read it for the beauty. Especially, the chapter on flowers. It is an extremely delicate, tender, and sensual work. Reading it was a tease. A seduction of the soul to observe and experience the beauty of flowers. I will leave you with one quote.
This book is not just about Tea. It is about Eastern philosophy; it is about Japan; it is about art, aesthetic, and beauty; and most importantly, it is about life. In the guise of "The Schools of Tea" preparation and their evolution, Kakuzo explains the various natural changes that happen as a part of cultural evolution. Through "Teaism", he talks about the virtues and vice of Taoism and Zenism. Through "Tea Room" and its description, he guides us through the discipline required to develop aesthetic sense and peace. Through "Art Appreciation", he lays our narcissism bare naked and forces us to reckon with ourselves. Through "Flowers", he invites us to experience the natural beauty all around us and to live and grow with them. Finally, with "Tea Masters", he demonstrates the dedication and strength required to devote oneself to an objective.
I picked up this book because it was mentioned in the book on Caffeine that I described in my other blog post. From the time I developed interest in specialty coffee, I watched hundreds of videos and dozens of podcasts on coffee and Caffeine. Most of these talked about the taste, preparation, features, and descriptions of these drinks. Given the age of consumerist capitalism, for some reason, instead of serving as a beverage of social bond and intimacy, Coffee has become a beverage of money, snobbery, and pleasure. Yes, indeed, the pleasure of drinking a freshly brewed french press coffee or an espresso from a skillful barista is unmatched. However, I do not find much devotion for coffee or the individual expertise in all of the discussions. I would be lying if I said that none of the people I have met have any devotion for coffee, however, I do not see it as a prime aspect of the beverage.
The book of tea, on the other hand, talked about Tea as a philosophy. This book is as much about the beverage as the human preparing it, the environment surrounding it, and the life experience after consuming it. Does it have its exaggerations? Sure. Does it fetishise the trivial? Sometimes. But don't read this book for information, read it for the beauty. Especially, the chapter on flowers. It is an extremely delicate, tender, and sensual work. Reading it was a tease. A seduction of the soul to observe and experience the beauty of flowers. I will leave you with one quote.
Tell me, gentle flowers, teardrops of the stars, standing in the garden, nodding your heads to the bees as they sing of the dews and the sunbeams, are you aware of the fearful doom that awaits you? Dream on, sway and frolic while you may in the gentle breezes of summer. Tomorrow a ruthless hand will close around your throats.Wow!
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