# How does The Book of Tea develop the theme of Critique of Modern Materialism and Conformity?

> The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō

## Answer

The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō develops Critique of Modern Materialism and Conformity across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The book criticizes modern society for valuing cost over refinement, fashion over beauty, and for confusing art with archaeology, lamenting the loss of genuine appreciation in favor of industrialism and commercialism.

The chapter laments the modern struggle for wealth and power, the shadow of egotism and vulgarity, and calls for a return to the contemplative spirit of Teaism.

The chapter contrasts the tearoom's simplicity with Western interiors filled with repetitive decoration and museum-like displays, calling industrialism a threat to true refinement.

The author criticizes the modern tendency to value art based on cost, fashion, or the artist's name rather than genuine feeling, and laments the sacrifice of aesthetic enjoyment to scientific classification.

## Evidence

- [i-the-cup-of-humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/i-the-cup-of-humanity.md): The chapter laments the modern struggle for wealth and power, the shadow of egotism and vulgarity, and calls for a return to the contemplative spirit of Teaism.
- [iv-the-tearoom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/iv-the-tearoom.md): The chapter contrasts the tearoom's simplicity with Western interiors filled with repetitive decoration and museum-like displays, calling industrialism a threat to true refinement.
- [v-art-appreciation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/v-art-appreciation.md): The author criticizes the modern tendency to value art based on cost, fashion, or the artist's name rather than genuine feeling, and laments the sacrifice of aesthetic enjoyment to scientific classification.
- [vi-flowers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/vi-flowers.md): The chapter contrasts the tea-master's reverent approach with Western practices of cutting flowers without leaves, and laments the wanton destruction of flowers, wishing for protective laws.

## Links

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