The Art of Tea

Some legends say that Buddha discovered the tea plant's virtues when a leaf fell into his glass of water; others believe it was discovered by a Zen monk. The new tea-based exhibit "The Art of Tea" found solace in the Tikotin Museum of Japanese art, a fitting home for the Chinese medicinal product whose seedlings were brought over to Japan in 1191. On display: ceramic tea bowls, specifically raku, ink paintings of varying styles, and all that encompasses the aesthetics of tea in its traditional form.