Kakuzō Okakura Quotes

Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. It inculcates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order. It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible thing we know as life.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

In the liquid amber within the ivory porcelain, the initiated may touch the sweet reticence of Confucius, the piquancy of Laotse, and the ethereal aroma of Sakyamuni himself.

~ 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... 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.

~ Kakuzō 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 be deserted by these best friends of ours.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

People are not taught to be really virtuous, but to behave properly.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Fain would we remain barbarians, if our claim to civilization were to be based on the gruesome glory of war.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

True beauty could be discovered only by one who mentally complete the incomplete.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Our mind is the canvas on which the artists lay their colour; their pigments are our emotions; their chiaroscuro the light of joy, the shadow of sadness. The masterpiece is of ourselves, as we are of the masterpiece.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Approach a great painting as thou wouldst approach a great prince.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

One is reminded in this connection of a story concerning Kobori-Enshiu. Enshiu was complimented by his disciples on the admirable taste he had displayed in the choice of his [art] collection. Said they, Each piece is such that no one could help admiring. It shows that you had better taste than had Rikiu, for his collection could only be appreciated by one beholder in a thousand. Sorrowfully Enshiu replied: This only proves how commonplace I am. The great Rikiu dared to love only those objects which personally appealed to him, whereas I unconsciously cater to the taste of the majority. Verily, Rikiu was one in a thousand among tea-masters.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Our standards of morality are begotten of the past needs of society, but is society to remain always the same?

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Welcome to thee,O sword of eternity!Through BuddhaAnd through Daruma alikeThou hast cleft thy way.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

For life is an expression, our unconscious actions the constant betrayal of our innermost thought. Confucius said that man hideth not. Perhaps we reveal ourselves too much in small things because we have so little of the great to conceal.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

...But it is also told that Niuka forgot to fill two tiny crevices in the blue firmament. Thus began the dualism of love--two souls rolling through space and never at rest until they join together to complete the universe. Everyone has to build anew his sky of hope and peace.

~ Kakuzō 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 entered the life of the people.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

How can one be so serious with the world when the world itself is so ridiculous?

~ Kakuzō Okakura

One master defines Zen as the art of feeling the polar star in the southern sky. Truth can be reached only through the comprehension of opposites.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

The seeker for perfection must discover in his own life the reflection of the inner light.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

But when we consider how small after all the cup of human enjoyment is, how soon overflowed with tears, how easily drained to the dregs in our quenchless thirst for infinity, we shall not blame ourselves for making so much of the tea-cup.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle. Let us dream of evanescence and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

In joy or sadness flowers are our constant friends.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.

~ Kakuzō Okakura

One altar forever is preserved, that whereon we burn incense to the supreme idol,--ourselves, our god is great, and money is his Prophet! We devastate nature in order to make sacrifice to him; we boast that we have conquered Matter and forget that it is matter that has forever enslaved us.

~ Kakuzō Okakura