The Book of Tea
Kokuro Okakura
Audio CD
(Data Systems, Oct. 31, 2001)
"Tea is a work of art, and needs a master hand to bring out it's noblest qualities. There is no single recipe for making the perfect tea, just as there are no rules for producing a Titian or a Sesson. Each preparation of the leaves has its individuality, its special affinity with water and heat, its own method of telling a story. The truly beautiful must always be in it." Written in English by a Japanese scholar, Kakuzo Okakura, "The Book of Tea" combines an explanation of origins and practice of tea drinking, the Japanese Tea Ceremony, as well as Taoist and Zen Buddhist philosophies, flower arrangement, and art appreciation. Contained on two audio CDs, disc one also contains a computer readable/printable pdf file of complete text.