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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. Eastern so-called _____________________ perceive that they deal in death, and so treat flowers carefully and with honor.

2. Why did Rikyu frequently have arguments with his patron lord?

3. What is the purpose of the garden path?

4. Of what did he sing?

5. The art of flower arrangement began with whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Rikyu's life come to an end?

2. How did the art of flower arrangement begin?

3. Do humans deserve flowers, according to the author? Explain.

4. How have tea-masters furthered art in Japan? What else have they influenced?

5. What does Okakura say about modern art appreciation?

6. How can one truly appreciate art?

7. How do the Japanese show that art is important to them?

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

9. What do tea-masters think of life?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Humans have demonstrated that they are unworthy of the flower.

Part 1) How have humans demonstrated this? Is the flower unique to being mistreated by man? Explain.

Part 2) How does the Cult of Flowers try to go against this fact? Do Americans treat flowers with respect? Why or why not?

Part 3) Are humans worthy of anything? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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