The 1904 book that famously declared “Asia is one†was among the first studies in English to reference Zen as it explored the roots of Japanese beauty. Like the author’s The Book of Tea; this volume emphasized the spiritual ideals of Asian; and especially Japanese; art. Kakuzo Okakura (1863–1913) was an administrator and scholar whose writings helped shape the West’s early views of Japan and Asia.
#1005340 in Books Fair Winds Press 2001-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .69 x 6.00l; .78 #File Name: 1931412766400 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Ridiculous hypothesis; but ok for history of the TemplarsBy P. BustionI read this book first when I was 16 years old. That was 9 years ago. The hypothesis the authors present that the image on the Shroud of Turin is Jacques de Molay seems ridiculous; and they do not give a very good argument for it. I do not believe it is either him or Jesus. The authors themselves say there's no evidence for it existing prior to 1357 when the Savoy family released it to the public; which works against their theory since Jacques de Molay's crucifixion took place in 1314. However; though I disagree with the main hypothesis of the book; they raised some interesting points. They view the tarot cards as having been symbols of secret knowledge that the Knights Templar possessed. As an example they use card II the High Priestess card which has a High Priestess sitting in between two pillars labelled "B" and "J". Their hypothesis is that this card represents St. Mary Magdalene; who they claim was the first pope of the Catholic Church; contrary to the Vatican's claim that St. Peter was such. They state that the Knights Templar held this secret because they subscribed to St. Mary Magdalene's line of apostolic succession instead of St. Peter's; and they also believe that the "B" and "J" pillars next to her are the same pillars; Boaz and Jachin; that are in Masonic Temples and were in King Solomon's Temple as mentioned in the Second Book of Parlipomenon Chapter 3 Verse 17. I disagree with their theory that St. Mary Magdelene was the first pope or that the Templars even believed that; but I think they are correct that the B and J pillars are the same Boaz and Jachin mentioned in the Second Book of Parlipomenon as being pillars of Solomon's Temple and contained in Masonic Temples; so I think the tarot may have a Masonic; Judaic or Biblical connection; but I view the woman as being more likely a Jewish High Priestess than a Christian; so not St. Mary Magdalene. Knight's and Lomas's account of King Phillip IV of France's intrigues against the Knights Templar and the Roman Catholic was also interesting and mainly accurate. It was also better than Dan Brown's account in The Da Vinci Code because it accurately showed that the papacy had nothing to do with the destruction of the Knights Templar and was just as much a victim of King Phillip's machinations as the Templars were unlike Brown's which inaccurately portrayed it as a papal persecution of heretics.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Truth behind the Turin ShroudBy Henry J. ElliotAs a Templar follower; I found this book quite a revalation as to how the Shroud of Turin may have originated. It shows the weakness of the Church of the times and the greed of the French king. It gives good evidence as to how the shroud may have become what it is seen today and gives a very plausible insight as to the last days of the Templar Grandmaster. A very readable and possible part of history as to how the shroud originated which stems from that Black Friday 13th all those centuries ago.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jim Sommervilleloved it
