Art Quote by Kakuzō Okakura
““Nothing is more hallowing than the union of kindred spirits in art. At the moment of meeting, the art lover transcends himself. At once he is and is not. He catches a glimpse of Infinity, but words cannot voice his delight, for the eye has no tongue. Freed from the fetters of matter, his spirit moves in the rhythm of things. It is thus that art becomes akin to religion and ennobles mankind. It is this which makes a masterpiece something sacred. In the old days the veneration in which the Japanese held the work of the great artist was intense. The tea-masters guarded their treasures with religious secrecy, and it was often necessary to open a whole series of boxes, one within another, before reaching the shrine itself--the silken wrapping within whose soft folds lay the holy of holies. Rarely was the object exposed to view, and then only to the initiated.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Tea by Kakuzō Okakura, 1906
Art unites souls, creating a sacred, transcendent experience that feels like a religious revelation, beyond ordinary language.
In simple terms: Art connects souls, feeling sacred and beyond words.
Key Takeaway
Seek deep, contemplative engagement with art.
Themes
spirituality
art
transcendence
culture
reverence
Mood
reverent
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
cultural
When to use this quote
- gallery visits
- private contemplation
- art education
- cultural immersion
- meditative practice
Key Concepts
aesthetic experience
ritual
sacredness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does art become a spiritual practice?
- What rituals deepen your appreciation of art?
A Different Perspective
The experience may be inaccessible without cultural context or prior exposure.
