The Japanese Tea Ceremony: Cha-no-Yu and the Zen Art of Mindfulness

Description

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a detailed examination of the five-centuries-old tea ceremony or Cha-no-Yu (in Japanese, literally hot water for tea) a cornerstone of Japanese culture and a core practice of Zen Buddhism. Framed by intricately choreographed steps, the tea ceremony is as much about the search for enlightenment as it is about serving tea. Within the serenity of the tea room, the ceremony, with its highly formal structure, becomes an object of focus for meditation. As the water is heated and the tea is served, the ultimate goal is losing the sense of self while gaining inner peace. The path to mindfulness runs through the centre of the tea ceremony. Abundantly illustrated with over 160 drawings and 40 colour photos showing every aspect of the ceremony, this book takes readers on a complete tour of furniture and utensils, teahouses and gardens, and numerous other features of Cha-no-Yu.

A.L. Sadler was Professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Sydney for twenty-six years as well as Professor of Japanese at the Royal Military College of Australia. Among his works are Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, A Short History of Japanese Architecture, A Short History of Japan, The Ten Foot Square Hut, and Tales of the Heike. Laura C. Martin is an award-winning author who has studied the complexities of plants for decades. She served as the garden editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Georgia magazine and has written for publications ranging from American Horticulturist to Better Homes & Gardens. She is the author of A History of Tea: The Life and Times of the World's Favorite Beverage.

"This classic text, first published in 1933, takes one on a journey through time, space and mindfulness. It gives deep insights into how the art of tea ceremony (Cha-no-yu in Japanese, 'hot water for tea'), is not merely about its practical aspects--tea rooms, utensils or gardens--but the arrangement of these various essential components within a space where simplicity is embraced and each movement is a conscious meditation of a calm mind, like a Zen practice." --Kyoto Journal "I am even more interested in the beautiful art of tea ceremonies now!" --Traveling Book Nerds