Category Archives for Literature
The Censor’s Jar
An unusual account of tea was once written by a high court official during the eighth century. The report described the tea used in the offices of the Censorate, one the most powerful and feared agencies of the Tang imperial … Continue reading
Offering Matching Rhymes to Pi Rixiu’s Ten Songs on Tea
Lu Guimeng of the Tang dynasty Offering Matching Rhymes to Pi Rixiu’s Ten Songs on Tea 陸龜蒙 奉和襲美茶具十詠 Tea Garden The way to tea concealed, winding round in twists and turns, A walk in the … Continue reading
Three Encomia on the Ten Perfections of Tea
Wen Zhengming of the Ming dynasty Three Encomia on the Ten Perfections of Tea Tea Sprouts The east wind blows across the russet tea, In a single night it grows an inch. A floral … Continue reading
Song of Coveting Tea
Wu Kuan of the Ming dynasty Song of Coveting Tea I, Elder of the Brew, love tea as I love wine, Three pints or fifty – there’s no counting. Beginning in the tea room, there … Continue reading
Song of Tasting Tea at West Mountain Temple
Liu Yuxi of the Tang dynasty Song of Tasting Tea at West Mountain Temple Beyond the temple eaves, the mountain monks have many tea plants. Spring arrives and the glow of the bamboo draws out … Continue reading
Stories About Lu Yü
Feng Yan (active ca. 755-794 A.D.) Record of Things Heard and Seen Chapter 6 “Drinking Tea” In the Discourse on Tea, Lu Hongjian of Chu explained the merits and methods of brewing and toasting … Continue reading
Moon Festival
Su Shi of the Song dynasty Poem Based on the Song of Water Tunes Moon Festival, 1076 Happily drinking through the night till morning: Truly drunk, wrote this verse, begging the pardon of younger … Continue reading
Guanyin Spring at Tiger Hill
Shen Zhou of the Ming dynasty Sitting beneath pines quietly sipping tea brewed with water drawn from the Third Spring at Tiger Hill under a waning moon In the evening, I enquire at the … Continue reading
Paradox
Laozi of the Zhou dynasty Books of the Path and the Power Paradox Profound accomplishment appears unaccomplished, yet it is ever present and infinite. Utter completeness appears incomplete, yet it is ever present and … Continue reading