The Japanese Tea Garden

Keane has done a great service to both those who are interested in gardens and those who are interested in the Way of Tea. This is a beautifully designed and illustrated book that will fulfill every requirement for proud display on your coffee table. At the same time, it is a serious look at the history of the tea garden, where it came from, its forms and purposes, its influence on other types of gardens and architecture. Keane is particularly to be commended for tracing the history of the tea garden and the development of its design throughout history. This is something that has been missing from the English literature about tea gardens and is a great help in understanding the function of the garden and the goals of its designers. This book is to be highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the Way of Tea or the development of garden design in Japan.

Have to purchase this book for a class. The material is good, very smooth to touch. It is hard to write on it but I resort to sticky notes to solve that problem. Included a lot of beautiful photos of tea gardens in Japan, the descriptions and writing is easy to follow and understand.

Anything Keane has done about Japanese Gardens is great. I'm a Volunteer Guide at Portland's beautiful Japanese Garden, so am most interested in JG. Part of our Garden is a tea house and tea garden. Keane does a fine job of explaining and illustrating both. As in all his books, Keane includes beautiful photos and clear, well-written explanations. The book is essential for any library on the subject.

Besides having beautiful pictures, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a serious scholarly work about the history of tea gardens. It is very thorough, easy to understand even though it's scholarly (although the writing style isn't the most captivating -- this isn't pop lit), organized, and very useful for a student of tea or Japanese gardens.

Subtly builds your perspective on Japan at the time, and provides an understanding of the garden path. Recreates certain themes in a way that they 'stick' in your mind.Frankly, there is very little on the actual flora involved, and you almost understand why when you are finished. Memorable and enriching.

Book arrived today, well packaged and could have been marked 'Brand New Book'. Thrilled to have found this Japanese Tea Garden Book!

Quick shipping and careful packing. A good book.

Wonderful book, with great pictures and info