# The Book of Tea — Character guide

> Key figures in The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō.

- [Rikiu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/rikiu.md): The greatest tea master, whose story and philosophy permeate the book.
- [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/laozi.md): Ancient Taoist philosopher whose teachings are central to the book's themes.
- [Luwuh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/luwuh.md): Author of the classic tea treatise, revered as a tea saint.
- [Kobori Enshiu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/kobori_enshiu.md): Renowned tea master and garden designer of the early Edo period.
- [Soshi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/soshi.md): Taoist philosopher known for parables and the butterfly dream.
- [Peiwoh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/peiwoh.md): Legendary Chinese tea connoisseur known for his refined taste.
- [Lotung](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/lotung.md): Chinese poet who celebrated tea in verse and daily life.
- [Chikamatsu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/chikamatsu.md): Japanese dramatist whose works reflect tea culture aesthetics.
- [Taiko Hideyoshi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/taiko_hideyoshi.md): Powerful warlord and patron of tea master Rikiu.
- [Sotumpa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/sotumpa.md): Chinese tea master known for his eccentric wisdom.
- [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/confucius.md): Chinese philosopher whose teachings are contrasted with Taoism.
- [Sakyamuni](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/sakyamuni.md): Historical Buddha, referenced in discussions of Zen and tea.
- [Buddha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/buddha.md): Enlightened being central to Buddhist philosophy in the book.
- [Hiakujo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/hiakujo.md): Chinese Zen master who established monastic tea rituals.
- [Tanka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/tanka.md): Zen monk known for burning a wooden Buddha statue for warmth.
- [Empress Komio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/empress_komio.md): Japanese empress who offered tea to Buddhist monks.
- [Bodhi Dharma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/bodhi_dharma.md): Legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, associated with tea's origin.
- [Katagiri Sekishiu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters/katagiri_sekishiu.md): Tea master who preserved Rikiu's traditions after his death.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_tea_se/characters