--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The tea-masters held that real…" description: "\"“The tea-masters held that real appreciation of art is only possible to those who make of it a living influence. Thus they sought to regulate their dai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kakuz-okakura-14816_art_the-tea-masters-held-that-real-appreciat_2801060.jpg" --- # The tea-masters held that real appreciation of art is only… ![“The tea-masters held that real appreciation of art is only possible to those who make of it a living influence. Thus they sought to regulate their daily life by the high standard of refinement which obtained in the tea-room. In all circumstances serenity of mind should be maintained, and…” quote by Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kakuz-okakura-14816_art_the-tea-masters-held-that-real-appreciat_2801060.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kakuz-okakura-14816_art_the-tea-masters-held-that-real-appreciat_2801060.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/kakuz-okakura-14816_art_the-tea-masters-held-that-real-appreciat_2801060.jpg) > ““The tea-masters held that real appreciation of art is only possible to those who make of it a living influence. Thus they sought to regulate their daily life by the high standard of refinement which obtained in the tea-room. In all circumstances serenity of mind should be maintained, and conversation should be conducted as never to mar the harmony of the surroundings. The cut and color of the dress, the poise of the body, and the manner of walking could all be made expressions of artistic personality. These were matters not to be lightly ignored, for until one has made himself beautiful he has no right to approach beauty. Thus the tea-master strove to be something more than the artist,—art itself.”” [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True appreciation of art requires living it daily, maintaining serenity, and expressing refinement in all actions. **In simple terms:** Art is lived daily with calm and refinement. Key Takeaway Cultivate mindfulness and elegance in everyday life. Themes art mindfulness refinement culture beauty Mood contemplative inspirational Type philosophical cultural When to use this quote - daily routines - social gatherings - personal presentation - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts aesthetic philosophy personal development social etiquette Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to live artfully? - How can refinement be inclusive? A Different Perspective High standards can be elitist and exclusionary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Daily life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-life/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) ## Related quotes > [“In all circumstances serenity of mind should be maintained, and conversation should be conducted as never to mar the harmony of the surroundings. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/in-all-circumstances-serenity-of-mind-should-be-maintained-and/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [ “\[Tea-masters\] have given emphasis to our natural love of simplicity, and shown us the beauty of humility. In fact, through their teachings tea has… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/tea-masters-have-given-emphasis-to-our-natural-love-of-simplicity-and/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“One of the first requisites of a tea-master is the knowledge of how to sweep, clean, and wash, for there is an art in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/one-of-the-first-requisites-of-a-tea-master-is-the-knowledge-of-how/) [Kakuzo Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [Some like to think that a keen appreciation of art can actually make us better people - more just, more moral, more sensitive, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/some-like-to-think-that-a-keen-appreciation-of-art-can-actually-make/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [The presence of excessive wealth puts an unnatural spin on the appreciation of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/the-presence-of-excessive-wealth-puts-an-unnatural-spin-on-the/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [It is not so for art in appreciation because art is concerned with human behavior. And science is concerned with the behavior of metal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/it-is-not-so-for-art-in-appreciation-because-art-is-concerned-with/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Silence is, after all, the context for the deepest appreciation of art: the only important evaluations are finally, personal, interior ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-adams/silence-is-after-all-the-context-for-the-deepest-appreciation-of-art/) [Robert Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-adams/) > [Nothing will enrich your life as much as the appreciation of art. If you want to 'Live Rich', you have to - absolutely have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-m-ford/nothing-will-enrich-your-life-as-much-as-the-appreciation-of-art-if/) [Mark M. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-m-ford/) > [Appreciation is an art and a lifestyle and a source of happiness and fulfillment. It's called gratitude-an attitude of gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh-yogi/appreciation-is-an-art-and-a-lifestyle-and-a-source-of-happiness-and/) [Harbhajan Singh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh-yogi/) > [Universal appreciation of art... belongs to those countries and those ages which are not, or were not, ruled by materialism. Though travel was never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-phillips/universal-appreciation-of-art-belongs-to-those-countries-and-those/) [Walter J. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-phillips/) > [Religion is hard work. Its insights are not self-evident and have to be cultivated in the same way as an appreciation of art, music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/religion-is-hard-work-its-insights-are-not-self-evident-and-have-to/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [“It’s amazing what can be done by people who learn to relax, pay attention, and focus, appreciating the present hour and all the opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-chandler/it-s-amazing-what-can-be-done-by-people-who-learn-to-relax-pay/) [Steve Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-chandler/) > [Appreciation of art is a moral erection, otherwise mere dilettantism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/appreciation-of-art-is-a-moral-erection-otherwise-mere-dilettantism/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [I would love to be able to share my artwork with as many people as possible so that I can help spread an appreciation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusaku-maezawa/i-would-love-to-be-able-to-share-my-artwork-with-as-many-people-as/) [Yusaku Maezawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusaku-maezawa/) > [The cannabis experience has greatly improved my appreciation for art, a subject which I had never much appreciated before,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-cannabis-experience-has-greatly-improved-my-appreciation-for-art/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## More 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/nothing-is-more-hallowing-than-the-union-of-kindred-spirits-in-art-at/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Welcome to thee, O sword of eternity! Through Buddha And through Daruma alike Thou hast cleft thy way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/welcome-to-thee-o-sword-of-eternity-through-buddha-and-through-daruma/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Our standards of morality are begotten of the past needs of society, but is society to remain always the same?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/our-standards-of-morality-are-begotten-of-the-past-needs-of-society/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“At the magic touch of the beautiful the secret chords of our being are awakened, we vibrate and thrill in response to its call.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/at-the-magic-touch-of-the-beautiful-the-secret-chords-of-our-being/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Have you not noticed that the wild flowers are becoming scarcer every year? It may be that their wise men have told them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/have-you-not-noticed-that-the-wild-flowers-are-becoming-scarcer-every/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Behold the complacent salesman retailing the Good and True. One can even buy a so-called Religion, which is really but common morality sanctified with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/behold-the-complacent-salesman-retailing-the-good-and-true-one-can/) [Kakuzo Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Sad as it is, we cannot conceal the fact that in spite of our companionship with flowers we have not risen very far above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/sad-as-it-is-we-cannot-conceal-the-fact-that-in-spite-of-our/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“The claims of contemporary art cannot be ignored in any vital scheme of life. The art of to-day is that which really belongs to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/the-claims-of-contemporary-art-cannot-be-ignored-in-any-vital-scheme/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“We are ever brutal to those who love and serve us in silence, but the time may come when, for our cruelty, we shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/we-are-ever-brutal-to-those-who-love-and-serve-us-in-silence-but-the/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“Our standards of morality are begotten of the past needs of society, but is society to remain always the same? The observance of communal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/our-standards-of-morality-are-begotten-of-the-past-needs-of-society-2/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“The masterpiece is symphony played upon our finest feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/the-masterpiece-is-symphony-played-upon-our-finest-feelings/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“In art, the present is the eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/in-art-the-present-is-the-eternal/) [Kakuzo Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“We must know the whole play in order to properly act our parts; the conception of totality must never be lost in that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/we-must-know-the-whole-play-in-order-to-properly-act-our-parts-the/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“These Taoists' ideas have greatly influenced all our theories of action, even to those of fencing and wrestling. Jiu-jitsu, the Japanese art of self-defence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/these-taoists-ideas-have-greatly-influenced-all-our-theories-of/) [Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) > [“New York City vagrant: "What sort of 'nese are you people? Are you Chinese, or Japanese, or Javanese?" Kakuzo Okakura responds: "We are Japanese…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/new-york-city-vagrant-what-sort-of-nese-are-you-people-are-you/) [Kakuzo Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) [Explore all 43 Kakuzō Okakura quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The tea-masters held that real appreciation of art is only possible to those who make of it a living influence. 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