The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura

I picked up this fantastic little book in the tea aisle at Wegman’s. Unfortunately this edition doesn’t seem to be widely available but I love how it is packaged. The sleeve ensures that the book does not become damaged in transport. I appreciated this a lot as I read this book during my train commutes to and from work. Part philosophy and part history, this book offers an amazing window into the world of Japanese tea.

However, it is not so much about tea itself but about the way of life that surrounds tea culture. He refers to it as “the way of tea” and I do not think Mr. Okakura could have summed it up any better. Reading this book is part of what truly started me on my tea journey. It reveals the deeper significance of art, nature, meditation and refinement that is now associated with the Japanese tea ceremony. I have since read it many times over and fear I may need to get a new copy if this one wears out. I would definitely recommend this book.

You can find out more about this book here

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