Written by one of Japan's contemporary tea masters, this illustrated text takes a comprehensive look at the sources and inspiration of the ancient Japanese tea ceremony. The ceremony is traced from its earliest origins to the present day, and the individuals who helped it to evolve are studied. In Japan, serving tea is an art and a spiritual discipline. As an art, the tea ceremony is an occasion to appreciate the clean lines of the tea room's design, the feel of the bowl in the hand, the company of friends, and a simple moment of purity. As a discipline, it has roots in the