Cover of The Book of Tea

The Book of Tea

by Okakura Kakuzō

First published
1906
Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"The Book of Tea" by Kakuzo Okakura is an essay written in 1906 that links the Japanese tea ceremony to the aesthetic and cultural values of Japanese life. Originally written in English for Western readers, it explores how Teaism teaches simplicity, harmony, and humility. Okakura protests Western misunderstandings of Eastern culture and argues that the principles of tea offer a universal remedy for conflict. The book discusses Zen, Taoism, and the philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection.

  • Tea
  • Japan
  • Japanese tea ceremony

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #769. The Book of Tea on Wikipedia.