Okakura Kakuzo is the author of 'The Book of Tea' which seeks to explain to westerners the philosophy of teaism that finds expression in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. With its roots in Taoism and Zen Buddhism, the Japanese tea ceremony embodies the four principles of harmony, respect, simplicity and tranquility.
What does this have to do with my diet? Epictetus helped me start off on my journey - his was the first signpost that said 'get going'. Now I have to work out where. The Japanese live long healthy lives and have the lowest rate of obesity among highly developed countries. I thought I would look there. And what is the craziest, most exotic and utterly ridiculous part of Japanese culture from a practical British point of view? The tea ceremony - all that faff for a cup of tea! But maybe 'all that faff' has something very valuable to say not just about the way to consume food and drink but about what Okakura Kazura calls 'the art of being in the world'.
Okakura Kazura: A master has always something to offer, while we go hungry solely because of our own lack of appreciation.
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