Immerse yourself in The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura, a seminal exploration of Teaism's profound influence on Japanese culture and beyond. This eloquent 1906 essay intertwines philosophy, aesthetics, and the essence of life, presenting tea not merely as a drink but as a spiritual and cultural journey.
This audiobook uncovers how Teaism fosters harmony, celebrates imperfection, and offers a sanctuary from life's complexities. Okakura's insights into Zen and Taoism through the lens of the tea ceremony invite listeners to a deeper appreciation of beauty and simplicity in daily life.
The Book of Tea is an essential listen for those intrigued by tea's mystique, Japanese culture, or seeking tranquility in our tumultuous world. Join us on this serene voyage and let the timeless wisdom of Kakuzo Okakura inspire mindfulness and peace in your everyday life.
This audiobook was narrated and produced by RAM Studios, where humans and artificial intelligence collaborate to create an excellent listening experience. (The reading is done primarily by AI)
Brought to you by Penguin
This Penguin Classic is performed by Japanese actor Sadao Ueda, known for his appearances in Spectre, London has Fallen and What We Did on Our Holiday.
For a generation adjusting painfully to the demands of a modern industrial and commercial society, Asia came to represent an alternative vision of the good life: aesthetically austere, socially aristocratic, and imbued with spirituality. The Book of Tea was originally written in English and sought to address the inchoate yearnings of disaffected Westerners. In a flash of inspiration, Okakura saw that the formal tea party as practiced in New England was a distant cousin of the Japanese tea ceremony, and that East and West had thus 'met in the tea-cup.'