# Soshi — The Book of Tea character guide

> Soshi in The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-taoism-and-zennism

## Who they are

Taoist philosopher known for parables and the butterfly dream.

## Relationships

### [Hiakujo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/hiakujo)

_friendship_

Hiakujo (Hyakujo) and Soshi (Zhuangzi) are linked through Zen and Daoist traditions, sharing a playful, paradoxical approach to enlightenment.

### [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/confucius)

_rivalry_

Confucius and Soshi (Zhuangzi) represent opposing philosophies—Confucian pragmatism versus Daoist relativism—often critiquing each other in texts.

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/laozi)

_friendship_

Laozi and Soshi (Zhuangzi) are the two foundational figures of Daoism, with Zhuangzi often expanding on Laozi's ideas in a playful, literary manner.

## In the story

### [Taoism and Zennism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/iii-taoism-and-zennism)

A great exponent of the New School of Taoist thought, mentioned alongside Laozi as a Southerner.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/soshi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters