The Book of Tea

About this edition

A whole philosophy of life, in a single bowl of tea.

Written in English in 1906 for Western readers, Kakuzō Okakura's The Book of Tea is far more than a history of a drink. From the Taoist and Zen roots of the tea ceremony to the quiet beauty of the tea-room, the art of flower arrangement and the lives of the great tea-masters, Okakura reveals how the simple act of preparing a cup can become, in his words, a religion of the art of life.

Graceful, witty and profound, the book is also a plea for understanding between East and West. More than a century later, it remains one of the most beloved introductions to Japanese aesthetics, a meditation on simplicity, imperfection and attention.

This Collector's Edition includes:

• Twelve original illustrations by Angelo Zammit, created for this edition
• The Art of Everyday Attention: a practical companion of six practices drawn from Okakura's themes
• An original biography of Kakuzō Okakura, from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and his friendship with Isabella Stewart Gardner
• The complete text of all seven chapters, cleanly typeset for comfortable reading

Perfect for:

• Lovers of Japanese culture, Zen and Eastern philosophy
• Readers seeking a calmer, more attentive way of living
• Collectors of illustrated classics, and anyone looking for a graceful gift

No. 74 in the Anne Angelo Publishing House series of numbered Collector's Editions, this edition is a handsome addition to any bookshelf and a memorable gift.