The Book of Tea · Theme
The Worship of the Imperfect and Transience
How The Book of Tea develops The Worship of the Imperfect and Transience.
Teaism is described as a 'worship of the Imperfect,' finding beauty in impermanence and incompleteness, as illustrated by the tea-masters' appreciation for aged objects, natural decay, and the fleeting nature of flowers.
Where it surfaces
- The Cup of Humanity
Teaism is described as a worship of the Imperfect, and the chapter ends with a dream of evanescence and the 'beautiful foolishness of things.'
- Taoism and Zennism
Taoism accepts the mundane and finds beauty in the world of woe and worry, aligning with the appreciation of imperfection.
- The Tearoom
True beauty is discovered by mentally completing the incomplete; asymmetry and avoidance of repetition are deliberate, and the tearoom is a temporary refuge reflecting evanescence.
- Flowers
The chapter emphasizes the beauty of transience through the flower sacrifice, the acceptance of death, and the fleeting nature of blossoms like cherry flowers surrendering to the winds.
- Tea-Masters
Rikiu's breaking of the tea bowl and his serene acceptance of death reflect the tea-master's embrace of impermanence and the beauty of the imperfect.