Promulgation of the Contemporary Tea Ceremony 1694

This illustrated book, *Promulgation of the Contemporary Tea Ceremony,* was made by Endō Genkan in Japan sometime between 1656 and 1702. It offers us a fascinating glimpse into the transformation of the tea ceremony from an elite ritual to a more widespread cultural practice. The illustrations, combined with meticulous handwritten notes, act as a guide to the proper construction of tea houses and the use of tea implements, and it allows us to imagine a growing interest in tea culture among different social classes. Endō Genkan’s book reflects the changing social dynamics of the Edo period. It demonstrates a desire to codify and disseminate knowledge about tea ceremonies. To fully understand this artwork, one might research the Edo period's socio-economic shifts and the evolving role of merchant classes in cultural practices. The meticulous details in the book indicate the desire to regulate, standardize, and, perhaps democratize tea culture. It is a great example of the role of social history in interpreting art objects.