Introduction to Japanese Tea Ritual, An
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Description
Enchanting and enigmatic, chanoyu (Japanese tea ritual) has puzzled western observers since the sixteenth century. Here is a book written by a tea practitioner that explains why over twenty million modern Japanese — and a small but dedicated group of non-Japanese — follow "The Way of Tea. " Meticulously researched, An Introduction to Japanese Tea Ritual is clearly written and illustrated, and includes an extensive glossary.
Jennifer L. Anderson earned a Ph. D. from Stanford University in Anthropology, and holds a Hikitsugi certificate from the Urasenke tea school.
Reviews
"It provides a helpful overview of chanoyu practice for western readers by putting emphasis on the traditional meanings of tea with sensitivity to religious and cultural aspects. This book will help to demystify chanoyu and correct many one-sided impressions. It shows that chanoyu can be studied anthropologically and places the traditional practice of chanoyu clearly within the iemoto system in Japan. And it gives to the general reading public an accurate description of what actually goes on in a formal tea gathering, together with some indication of the rich associations in Japanese traditional culture that are called up by the various symbols and activities. " — Theodore M. Ludwig, Valparaiso University
"It's the first systematic anthropological work done on chado in the English language. It shows solid grounding in some of the most formative, as well as the latest, methodological works. Her grasp, particularly linguistically, of Japanese sources is commendable. " — T. James Kodera, Wellesley College