Okakura Tenshin and "The Book of Tea": Beauty in Silence

Okakura Tenshin and The Book of Tea: Beauty in Silence

Introduction: Is tea just a drink?

"Tea is somehow calming."

Did you know that there is actually a deep philosophy hidden behind these words?

During the Meiji period, there was a thinker who sought to convey Japanese beauty to the world.

His name was Okakura Tenshin.

His English book, The Book of Tea, is not just a guide to the tea ceremony, but a poetic philosophical work that explores the Japanese sense of beauty, their relationship with nature, and the value of "stillness."

Through tea, Tenshin speaks of the beauty that lies in everyday life. He quietly teaches us how a rich world unfolds in our everyday actions.

Who was Okakura Tenshin?

Okakura Tenshin (1863-1913) was an art thinker who lived during the turbulent Meiji era. He studied at the University of Tokyo and later contributed to the establishment of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He also founded the Japan Art Academy and nurtured painters such as Yokoyama Taikan and Shimomura Kanzan.

At the heart of his activities was a strong will to "protect Japanese beauty and share it with the world." Amid the rapid advance of Westernization, Tenshin felt a sense of crisis that Japan's traditional arts and spiritual culture were being lost, so he decided to write "The Book of Tea" in English in an attempt to convey the essence of Japanese culture to Western intellectuals.

There is a passage in his words that goes like this:

"True beauty can only be found by those who have made the imperfection perfect in their hearts."

This "beauty of imperfection" is something that is also present in the world of WABISUKE. Rather than perfection, it is in blank spaces and incompleteness that the power to move the heart resides. Tenshin's ideas continue to quietly speak to our sensibilities even today.

The world of "The Book of Tea" - The tea room is a stage for philosophy

"The Book of Tea" is not just a book introducing the etiquette of the tea ceremony. Rather, it is a philosophical book that brings to light the spirituality and aesthetic sense of the Japanese people through the small space of the tea room.

Tenshin said that everything from the arrangement of a tea room and the choice of utensils to the way flowers are displayed reflects one's "state of mind."

For example, a tea room is not a place that competes for luxury, but a place that values ​​modest beauty. Excessive decoration is eliminated, and only the bare necessities are present. Deep beauty resides in silence and simplicity.

Furthermore, flowers chosen for the tea ceremony are not those in full bloom, but rather single flowers that are just beginning to bloom or are about to fall. This reflects the sensibility of "mono no aware," which is the appreciation of the transience and change of life.

For tea bowls too, rather than perfectly symmetrical shapes, people prefer slightly irregular shapes that feel comfortable in the hand. This is where the beauty develops over time and the relationship with the user lies.

This aesthetic sense also raises questions for us today.

Is there tranquility in your life?

"Aren't you tired of striving for perfection too much?"

The Book of Tea is like a mirror that allows us to reexamine our daily lives.

Tenshin in Izura - Sea, wind and time alone

In his later years, Okakura Tenshin moved to a seaside town called Izura in Ibaraki Prefecture. There he built a small building called Rokkakudo. In this place jutting out into the sea, Tenshin fished, meditated, and lived a quiet life in harmony with nature.

He was a man who spoke of his philosophy through his way of life, rather than making loud statements about something.

In today's world, we are constantly surrounded by information and are called upon to communicate. In such an age, Tenshin's approach of "speaking in silence" is somehow refreshing and resonates with us.

His hexagonal hall is like a teahouse in your heart, enveloping you in the sound of the waves and the smell of the breeze, teaching you the richness of simply being there.

Conclusion: A quiet message from Tenshin

Okakura Tenshin's words still quietly resonate in our hearts today.

"The Book of Tea" is a book to be enjoyed rather than read. With each turn of the page, you will be reminded of the beauty and quietude that lies in everyday life.

For busy modern people, it is like a small light that gives them a chance to stop and think.

Tenshin also said:

"The way of tea is the way of purity and serenity."

Guided by these words, perhaps we too can try to arrange the "tea room" within ourselves.

Instead of striving for perfection, find beauty in imperfection.

This resonates deeply with the "beauty of white space" that WABISUKE values.