Teaism as an Aesthetic Philosophy

The book presents Teaism as a comprehensive philosophy that elevates tea-drinking into a religion of aestheticism, emphasizing purity, harmony, and the worship of the imperfect in everyday life.

The chapter defines Teaism as a way of life that elevates tea drinking into a spiritual and artistic practice, influencing Japanese art, architecture, and daily conduct.

Teaism is defined as a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful amid everyday sordidness, emphasizing purity, harmony, and the worship of the Imperfect.

Tea is presented as a work of art requiring a master hand, with the Japanese tea ceremony seen as a religion of the art of life and an improvised drama.

Flower arrangement is presented as an integral part of the tea-ritual, subordinated to the total scheme of decoration and embodying the aesthetic principles of teaism.