The Oedipal Allegory
The central plot of the novel revolves around an Oedipal narrative in which the central figure, in this case Kikuji, finds himself smitten by the lover of his deceased father. Just as in the Greek legend, the woman commits suicide, so that much of the novel could be read as an exposition of Oedipal themes.
Tea as a symbol of social decay
Social decay, or social entropy, occurs when the habits and rites that help a community to feel like a group start to give way to the pressing matters of personal life. This could be seen as an advancement or a retreat, depending on whether you consider social order a thing to be maintained. In this novel, this theme is explored through the ceremony around tea time, which in Japanese culture represents a moment of communal serenity and peace, but the ceremony starts to fall apart in the novel.
Relationship to one's father
In the novel, the reader sees a man who is constantly perplexed by his relationship to masculinity and femininity, causing his behavior and making the plot unfold. Psychologically speaking, this might be a picture of what it could feel like for someone when their father dies. Because of the Japanese culture attached to fate and inheritance, these themes are of critical value for the protagonist, Kikuji. The novel indicates that by deliberately inheriting the praise he gives his father, that he might gain the self-esteem that could lead to health, balance, and unity.
Balance, as in yin-yang.
Japanese culture views the world as a combination of forces held in tension with each other, famously depicted in the icon called 'yin-yang' where white and black are united and juxtaposed. This imagery is represented in the novel as the struggle between masculinity and femininity, specifically because of parental reasons, which are essential reasons. That means that the character in question, Kikuji, is experiencing the tension between masculine and feminine as a matter of self. So, by attempting to justify his romantic needs, he is indirectly demonstrating a craving for balance.
Tea Ceremony/Utensils and Older/New Generation
The tea utensils and ceremony are a way in which Chikako can intervene in Kikuji's life which represents the older generation (Chikako) trying to influence the new generation (Kikuji). The first instance in which all the characters meet is at a tea ceremony that Chikako organizes, representing the power of the old generation. Also, throughout the book when Chikako wants to see Kikuji she uses cleaning his tea cottage as an excuse to see him. She also uses the tea ceremony to try to set up Kikuji with Yukiko by inviting her over to Kikuji's house for tea.
However, as the novel goes on, the tea ceremony and utensils become less central in Kikuji's life. This can be seen as towards the end of the book Chikako tells Kikuji that he should sell his tea utensils. This moment represents the loss of influence of the older generations on the newer generations and therefore the loss of traditions in the newer generation.
