What do you think?
Rate this book
Tea ceremony utensils
"The Japanese tea ceremony is essentially the preparation of a simple cup of tea for a friend. At the same time, it might well be considered the quintessence of Japanese art, for all the crafts associated with 'the way of tea' have been refined to the highest degree of aesthetic perfection. The atmosphere of austerity, simplicity and universal harmony that pervades the tea ceremony resides as much in the utensils used as in the architecture of the teahouse. the garden in which it stands, the climatic conditions of the day and the personalities of the assembled guests. "This small volume provides a great wealth of information about the history of each utencil, its aesthetic value, and its role in the ritual. The author describes each utencil as a work of art but never loses sight of the practical function it serves in the tea ceremony. With the clear picture of the utensils he presents here, the Japanese tea ceremony need no longer remain the esoteric and inapproachable rite that it has seemed to some outsiders."
142 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 27, 2024
Excellent survey; recommended.
This survey of tea ceremony utensils, published in 1968, represents Book 3 in the Arts of Japan series. The translation into English is by Louise Alison Cort, an expert in Japanese ceramics in her own right.
The author provides a succinct summary of the tea ceremony, neither giving excessive detail on the historical tea masters nor presenting the the tradition with mystical reverence (common risks in the genre). Also, whereas most works on tea ceramics focus on the tea bowl, Fujioka gives equal attention to the range of other utensils--the tea caddy, kettle, tea scoop, water jars, flower vases, and items used for associated food presentation. Each utensil is illustrated with photos of several different works, often famous ceramics held in national or regional museums. Mostly black and white illustrations but also a good range of color photos for a 1968 publication.
Highly recommended (with used copies readily available online at almost give-away prices).
This survey of tea ceremony utensils, published in 1968, represents Book 3 in the Arts of Japan series. The translation into English is by Louise Alison Cort, an expert in Japanese ceramics in her own right.
The author provides a succinct summary of the tea ceremony, neither giving excessive detail on the historical tea masters nor presenting the the tradition with mystical reverence (common risks in the genre). Also, whereas most works on tea ceramics focus on the tea bowl, Fujioka gives equal attention to the range of other utensils--the tea caddy, kettle, tea scoop, water jars, flower vases, and items used for associated food presentation. Each utensil is illustrated with photos of several different works, often famous ceramics held in national or regional museums. Mostly black and white illustrations but also a good range of color photos for a 1968 publication.
Highly recommended (with used copies readily available online at almost give-away prices).
Displaying 1 of 1 review