THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



sent airs, completely in harmony with 

 the poetic and artistic natures of this 

 splendid people. 



Tea-houses Chd ya which take 

 the place of our cafes and bar rooms, 

 but which, nevertheless, serve a far 

 higher social purpose, are everywhere 

 in evidence, on the high-roads and 

 by-roads, tucked away in templed 

 groves and public resorts of every 

 nature. 



Among the Japanese are a num- 

 ber of ceremonial, social, and literary 

 tea-parties which reflect their courtly 

 and chivalrous spirit, and keep alive 

 the traditions of the people more, 

 perhaps, than any other of their 

 functions. 



The most important of these tea- , 

 parties are exclusively for gentlemen, 

 and their forms and ceremonies rank 



54 



