# V: Art Appreciation explained — The Book of Tea

> Chapter companion for The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.

## What happens

This chapter explores the nature of true art appreciation, emphasizing that art's value lies in its personal resonance rather than in its cost, age, or popularity. Through the Taoist tale of Peiwoh and the harp of Lungmen, the author illustrates the sympathetic communion required between artist and spectator. The chapter contrasts the genuine, individual taste of tea-masters like Rikiu with the modern tendency toward conformity, materialism, and pseudo-classicism, and recounts stories of devotion to masterpieces, such as the samurai who sacrificed himself to save a Sesson painting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art Appreciation and Individuality

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.

### Critique of Modern Materialism and Conformity

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.

### Tea Masters as Cultural Innovators

Tea-masters like Rikiu and Kobori-Enshiu are presented as arbiters of taste who collected art based on personal appreciation, influencing Japanese aesthetics.

## Character check-ins

### Kobori Enshiu

Quoted for his advice to approach a great painting as one would a great prince, and for his story about being complimented on his collection, where he humbly contrasts his own taste with Rikiu's.

### Rikiu

Mentioned as the tea-master whose collection could only be appreciated by one in a thousand, in contrast to Kobori-Enshiu's more universally admired taste.

### Peiwoh

Central figure in the Taoist tale of the Taming of the Harp, illustrating the mystery of art appreciation by allowing the harp to choose its own theme.

### Chikamatsu

Japanese playwright cited for his principle of taking the audience into the author's confidence, using a play about mistaken identity as an example.

### Taiko Hideyoshi

Mentioned in the context of the Taiko's generals preferring a rare work of art over a large grant of territory as a reward for victory.

### Sotumpa

Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; included as placeholder if needed, but omitted as no clear reference exists.

## Key lines

> Approach a great painting as thou wouldst approach a great prince.

When viewing a masterpiece, one should adopt a humble and reverent attitude, ready to receive its message.

_Kobori-Enshiu's advice on the proper attitude for art appreciation._

> In my young days I praised the master whose pictures I liked, but as my judgement matured I praised myself for liking what the masters had chosen to have me like.

Maturity in art appreciation means recognizing that the artist guides our taste, rather than our taste dictating what we admire.

_A Sung critic's reflection on the development of aesthetic judgment._

> People criticise a picture by their ear.

Many judge art based on reputation or hearsay rather than direct visual experience.

_A Chinese critic's complaint about superficial art criticism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters/v-art-appreciation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/chapters