The Book of Tea is a fascinating examination of Japanese thought and culture through its most central element - the tea ceremony. It was written in 1906, at a time when Japan was becoming a major player on the international scene. Author Kakuzo Okakura's fluency in English and expertise in the traditional arts rendered him uniquely qualified to help promote understanding between Japan and the West. The book offers a detailed account of the spiritual and philosophical significance of "the way of tea", tracing it's Taoist and Zen Buddhist roots, as well as a more material look at the effects of tea on Japanese life. Enlightening and entertaining, The Book of Tea is an unmissable classic.