Book Launch: Mindful Design of Japan: 40 Modern Tea-Ceremony Rooms

The Japanese tea-ceremony, or Way of Tea, is one of the most profound manifestations of mindfulness. The ceremony, with its roots in Zen Buddhism, dates as far back as the 15th century and takes place within a traditional tea-ceremony room.

Here, in a fully updated edition, are 40 outstanding examples of contemporary Japanese tea rooms, many located within private homes. The book highlights all aspects of the subject – the design, architecture, garden design and the ceremony itself. And with many different materials featured – paper, wood, plastic, stone, aluminium, glass and concrete – it is itself an inspirational sourcebook for modern homes.

Every tea-ceremony room included is by a well-known artist, designer or architect making this a unique compendium of the best modern interior design in Japan – designs by Kengo Kuma, Kisho Kurokawa, Terunobu Fujimori, Takashi Sugimoto and Shigeru Uchida.

In these pages you can glimpse the rare world of Japanese mindful design, modern interpretations of the fascinating tea room – an empty space designed for meditation, contemplation and the appreciation of the art of tea drinking.

Author and acclaimed photographer, Michael Freeman, will give a talk about his experiences in visiting and photographing the modern tea ceremony rooms featured in “Mindful Design of Japan: 40 Modern Tea-Ceremony Rooms”. The book has recently been updated with a new, paperback edition published this October.

*‘Mindful Design of Japan: 40 Modern Tea-Ceremony Rooms’ (£15, RRP £19.99) will be on sale during the evening. Payment can be made by cash or card.

Contributors: Michael Freeman is an acclaimed photographer and writer who specializes in travel, architecture and Asian art.