This vintage Japanese book, titled “The Joy of Tea Utensils: The Fact That There Is Tea,” was written by Ikeda Hyōa (池田瓢阿) and published by Shufunotomosha (主婦の友社) on June 1, 1985.
Dedicated to the refined world of the Japanese tea ceremony (Chadō / 茶道), this book explores the beauty, cultural significance, and personal enjoyment of traditional tea utensils, offering an intimate perspective on the relationship between everyday objects and the philosophy of tea.
Rather than viewing tea utensils merely as functional implements, Ikeda Hyōa approaches them as objects of artistic appreciation, each possessing its own character, history, and aesthetic qualities.
Central to Japanese tea culture is the philosophy of wabi-sabi (侘寂), which celebrates simplicity, natural imperfections, and the quiet beauty of objects shaped by time and human hands.
Tea bowls (chawan), tea containers, flower vessels, and other utensils are valued not only for their practical purposes but also for the atmosphere they create during a tea gathering.
Through his reflections, Ikeda invites readers to discover how these seemingly modest objects can enrich daily life and deepen one's appreciation of Japanese artistic traditions.
Size: 20cm
215 pages
