# Art Appreciation and Individuality in The Book of Tea

> Theme guide for The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.

True art appreciation requires personal sympathy and humility before the masterpiece, rejecting mere fashion or cost; the tea-masters valued objects that spoke to them individually rather than catering to popular taste.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Schools of Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/ii-the-schools-of-tea): Each preparation of tea has its individuality, and the tearoom is described as an oasis for meeting at the common spring of art-appreciation.
- [V: Art Appreciation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/v-art-appreciation): The chapter emphasizes that true art appreciation is deeply personal and individual, as illustrated by the contrast between Rikiu's unique taste and Kobori-Enshiu's more conventional collection.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/themes/art_appreciation_and_individuality
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/themes