The Book of Tea - Kakuzo Okakura - A Short Summary & Review
The Book of Tea - Kakuzo Okakura - A Short Summary & Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A short summary:
The Book of Tea is Kakuzō Okakura’s philosophical meditation on Teaism, a worldview rooted in Taoist and Zen principles that finds meaning in simplicity, harmony, and attentive presence. Using tea as both subject and symbol, Okakura explores how everyday rituals can express deeper truths about beauty, balance, and the art of living well.
Rather than offering a technical history of tea, the book moves fluidly through aesthetics, architecture, art, philosophy, and cultural exchange. Okakura presents Teaism as a quiet resistance to excess and rigidity, arguing that refinement lies not in accumulation, but in restraint and sensitivity to one’s surroundings.
At its heart, The Book of Tea is an invitation: to slow down, notice the small, and approach life as a lived art rather than a problem to be solved.
My favorite quote from the book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
This is a slim book with surprising depth. The Book of Tea reads less like an argument and more like a conversation, thoughtful, unhurried, and gently persuasive. Okakura’s reflections speak especially well to readers drawn to Japanese culture, but their relevance extends far beyond Japanophiles.
What makes the book compelling is its balance of philosophy and warmth. Okakura critiques Western materialism without hostility, advocating instead for attentiveness, modesty, and an appreciation of impermanence. His writing suggests that how we drink tea, arrange a room, or pause in the day reflects how we understand the world.
This is not a demanding read, but it is reflective. It leaves the reader calmer, more observant—and perhaps reaching for a teapot. The Book of Tea remains a lovely reminder that wisdom can be found in the smallest, most ordinary acts.
_____________________________________________________________________________
About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
✨ #TakeTheBackRoads
Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!
