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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. Lu Wu insists that what kind of water is the best tea to brew with?

2. What has been beneficial to this "religion of aestheticism?"

3. The West may never truly _______________ the East.

4. Okakura was born in 1862 to whom?

5. America's own __________________ shows the power of tea.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the author say about Tao and Taoism?

4. Is it appropriate for Westerners to learn tea's origin and how it is used elsewhere? Why or why not?

5. What happened during the Mongol invasion of China?

6. 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?

7. What are differences between China and Japan, regarding culture and tea?

8. What is teaism?

9. What is the editor's opinion of Okakura?

10. What is the history of Taoism and tea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stereotypes exist for both the West and the East.

Part 1) Describe stereotypes of each. How have these stereotypes come about? How do they affect the relationships between the East and the West?

Part 2) What does the writing of this book reveal about the stereotypes between the East and the West? What does this reveal about the author's feelings towards the West?

Part 3) What stereotypes exist in your own community? How do these stereotypes come about? How do they affect relationships between various groups in your community? How do these stereotypes affect you?

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

Man has a very long history with flowers.

Part 1) Describe man's long history with flowers. Why might flowers be important to man? How are flowers attractive to man?

Part 2) What is the Cult of Flowers? How does it reflect Japanese culture and philosophy? How is it connected to teaism?

Part 3) Describe the Western use of flowers. Do Westerners have respect for flowers? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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