The Foolishness of Things

The Book of Tea

'Too little tea' is a Japanese expression that refers to a person too busy to stop and smell the roses. 

My Japanese style garden includes a recirculating fountain - perfect spot for a cup of tea.

January, where I live, is a time to slow down and drink some tea. So, the Japanese phrase, ‘too little tea’, makes a lot of sense. I often must tell myself to ‘slow down’ and the act of making and drinking tea is a practical way to do that.

One of my favorite books is The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura. This classic book was originally written in 1906 to be read aloud by the author at Isabella Stewart Gardner’s famous salon in Boston. It is an eloquent treatise look at culture and politics through the Japanese mind of tea. Okakura Kakuzo (1862-1913) devoted his life to art, Zen, and the preservation of Japanese art and culture. He worked as an ambassador, teacher, writer, and, at the time of his death, as the Curator of Chinese and Japanese Art at the Boston Museum.

The Book of Tea

One of the passages I enjoy the most is about lingering in ‘the foolishness of things’. You may say that having a passion for gardens falls into that category. And if it does, I say, keep on lingering!

Here is an excerpt from ‘The Book of Tea’:

The heaven of modern humanity is indeed shattered in the Cyclopean struggle for wealth and power.

The world is groping in the shadow of egotism and vulgarity. Knowledge is bought through a bad conscience, benevolence practiced for the sake of utility.

The East and the West, like two dragons tossed in a sea of ferment, in vain strive to regain the jewel of life. We need a Niuka again to repair the grand devastation; we await the great Avatar.

Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea.

The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the sighing of the pines is heard in our kettle.

Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.

Kakuzo Okakura

I hope you enjoy my ruminations.