THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



his August Majesty, the Palate, to 

 use the same leaves more than once 

 in Japan. The preparation of good 

 tea is regarded by the Japs as the 

 height of social art, and for that rea- 

 son it is an important element in 

 the domestic, diplomatic, political, 

 and general life of the country. 



Tea is the beverage the master- 

 piece of every meal, even if it be 

 nothing but boiled rice. Every arti- 

 san and laborer, going to work, car- 

 ries with him his rice-box of lacq- 

 uered wood, a kettle, a tea-caddy, a 

 tea-pot, a cup, and his chop-sticks. 

 Milk and sugar are generally es- 

 chewed. The Japs and the Chinese 

 never indulge in either of these in- 

 gredients in tea ; the use of which, 

 they claim, spoils the delicate aroma. 



From the highest court circles 



