When Richard Bueno and Kitti Cha Sangmanee bought the well-respected Parisian firm in the early eighties, they expanded the business and give it a radically new dimension by inventing the French "art of tea". Mariage Freres sought out the best tea buds from all four corners of the globe: green teas from Japan, white teas from China, and First Flush Darjeelings. This book shares new ways of enjoying camellia sinensis and uncovers the secrets of the Mariage Freres tea ritual: mouth-watering recipes, tranquil settings, and beautiful accessories. This refined book - packaged as exquisitely as the company's tea and tea-related products - is a chic and totally irresistible invitation to tea.

    Along with her beautiful antique teaware paintings, Sandy offers a creative variety of ways for friends to gather and savor the fragrance of time spent together, sharing a part of their lives. Friends, old and new, close and far away, will enjoy ideas on how to... have a telephone tea party with long-distance friends host a homeschool lesson on the art of tea make a teacup friendship topiaryLaced with wonderful quotes, poems, and Scriptures that celebrate the blessings of friendship, this visually stunning treasure is perfect for rekindling past friendships, nurturing current friendships, and encouraging the growth of new friendships. Ideal for birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations.

    An important focus in the book is the author s research into why Rikyu s tragic suicide, enforced by Hideyoshi, was a necessary outcome of the emerging conflict between ritual, art and politics. In addition, the study highlights the tensions and struggles between individual artists who were led by a sense of artistic identity and inspiration, together with the political leaders who imposed their artistic taste on the nation. Plutschow also provides new insights into the sixteenth-century Japanese perception of beauty commonly called wabi a simple, often austere beauty displayed in tea in order to unite host and guests as equals. This book will be of considerable interest in research connected with politics, Zen Buddhism and art history as well as the central issues regarding the history and development of tea in Japan."

    Over 1,000 color photographs are included this time, and the book concentrates on cups and saucers that are readily available to collectors. An expanded section on cabinet cups and saucers is provided, and some of the categories from books I and II are again covered: late nineteenth and twentieth century European and American dinnerware, English bone china and earthenware cups and saucers, miniatures, and mustache cups. There are also two brand new categories in the book, Japanese cups and saucers and art glass cups and saucers made by the leading glass factories in Europe and the United States. A marks section, helpful appendix, and bibliography are once again included, as well as useful tips for dealers and collectors. 2007 values.