4. This imagery is reflected in many arts, such as the martial art of ____________ which emphasizes absorbing the enemy's blows in order to exhaust him.

5. These are different from ________________, which is a communistic thought.

Short Essay Questions

1. Is tea art? If so, how? If not, why not?

2. How are the Whipped Tea era and the Boiled Tea era different?

3. What happened during the Mongol invasion of China?

4. Who was Lu Wu? What were his beliefs about tea?

5. What is the chief contribution of Taoism to Asiatic life? Describe this.

6. When did tea first arrive in the Western world? Who brought it?

7. Will the West ever truly understand the East? Why or why not? What stereotypes have formed? Are these stereotypes breaking down? Why or why not?

8. What might a typical Westerner see in the tea ceremony?

9. Who began modernization in Japan? What did modernization do to Japan, according to the author?

10. Describe the Whipped Tea era.

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

The Japanese under Emperor Meiji in the second half of the 19th century were pursuing efforts to modernize.

Part 1) Describe these efforts. Why was modernization important? How did this modernization affect Japanese culture?

Part 2) How does the author feel about modernization in Japan? Why does he feel this way? What does he do regarding modernization? How does this book support his beliefs regarding modernization?

Part 3) How has modernization affected various cultures? Is modernization good? Why or why not? How has modernization affected the U.S.? How has it affected your own community and life? Do you see this as a positive thing? Why or why not?