I have the ninth edition (1989) which does not credit Michele Sadler. This is the most enjoyable and informative overview of the topic I have yet found. It covers everything from the shapes of the tea kettles to the landscape design surrounding famous tea rooms.

The book is interesting in that it discusses many particulars of the tea ceremony and its equipment, but balances this information nicely with many anecdotes which convey the "feeling" of the tea ceremony. The book also provides the reader with valuable historical insight about the development of the tea ceremony.

An important feature of the book is that the index contains the Kanji characters for the items listed.

I did not give the book a five star rating because it has black and white plates which do not adequately convey the colors of the tea bowls, and because many particulars of the tea ceremony could have been given more comprehensive treatment.

I have, however, re-read my copy several times, and I think that it is well worth adding to your book collection.

Although Sadler's biography suffers from his somewhat disjointed writing style and uncritical admiration of his subject, it is a rare English-language account of the life of one of the most important figures in Japanese history. The book focuses on Ieyasu's military campaigns and the political intrigues of the Age of Warring States; thus, it also revolves around the stories of the other two 'Great Generals' of Japan, Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. Sadler goes into great detail in his accounts of individual battles and sieges, so it excels as a sourcebook for the student of Japanese military history. One shortcoming, however, is the book's tendency to refer to relatively obscure characters of the period without introduction or explanation, so a general history of Japan (perhaps George Sansom's three-volume set) is recommended as a companion. Despite its defects, this book will provide invaluable information to anyone interested in medieval Japan or the history of the samurai