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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who created the art of flower arrangement?

2. Lastly, tea masters have an understanding of the ________________ of life.

3. Who invented the independent tea room?

4. Okakura relates what Taoist tale?

5. How many schools of thought exist in flower arrangement?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do tea-masters think of life?

2. Describe early tea rooms and how they changed with the innovations of Rikyu.

3. Why is the tea room intended to be barren?

4. What is done with these selected flowers?

5. How can one truly appreciate art?

6. How does Okakura illustrate this attitude towards life?

7. How was the Cult of Flowers developed? What is this cult?

8. What is a Sukiya?

9. What story does Okakura tell? What is the problem with the instrument in the book?

10. Describe the attitude of "Flower Masters" towards flowers.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

To truly appreciate art, one must discipline one's mind to properly receive and perceive art.

Part 1) How is this statement supported by this book? How can one discipline one's mind? How does the author suggest one discipline one's mind?

Part 2) Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Can one appreciate art without being "disciplined?" Explain.

Part 3) What art or art form do you appreciate the most? How have you been disciplined or conditioned to appreciate it?

Essay Topic 2

Okakura relates the Taoist tale of the Harp.

Part 1) Describe this tale. Why does Okakura relate this tale? How is it tied to Japanese culture? What does it reinforce?

Part 2) Describe a Western tale. What does it reveal about Western culture? How do the Eastern and Western tales compare?

Part 3) How do these tales illustrate the differences in Eastern and Western culture and thinking? How might they aid in building relations between the East and the West?

Essay Topic 3

There are three eras of tea.

Part 1) What are the three main tea eras? Describe each of them and explain how each of them come to be? How are they connected?

Part 2) How does each era reflect the Japanese culture of the time? Does the tea era influence the culture or does the culture influence the tea era? Explain.

Part 3) How does art in America today reflect life? How has American art evolved to be what it is today?

(see the answer keys)

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