The tea-masters collected only objects which fell strictly within the measure of their individual appreciation.

One is reminded in this connection of a story concerning Kobori Enshu. Enshu was complimented by his disciples on the admirable taste had displayed in the choice of his collection. Said they, “Each piece is such that no one could help admiring. It shows that you had better taste than Rikyu, for his collection could only be appreciated by one beholder in a thousand.” Sorrowfully, Enshu replied: “This only proves how commonplace I am. The great Rikyu dared to love only those objects which personally appealed to him, whereas I unconsciously cater to the taste of the majority. Verily, Rikyu was one in a thousand among tea-masters.”

It is much to be regretted that so much of the apparent enthusiasm for art at the present day has no foundation in real feeling.
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura