Category Archives for Literature
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
A Place for Tea
Li Rihua of the Ming dynasty A Place for Tea A clean room – with just a broad couch, a ready table, burning incense, a cup of tea – empty of unnecessary things. While … 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
Miscellaneous Poem
Wang Wei of the Liu Song dynasty Miscellaneous Poems, number one of two Alone and desolate, I close the high chambers, Silent and empty, the grand halls. Waiting for my lord who will not … Continue reading
New Imperial Tribute Tea from Huzhou
Zhang Wengui of the Tang New Imperial Tribute Tea from Huzhou, ca. 841 On a spring outing, returning tipsy by phoenix carriage, Her coiffed peony blossoms teasing bobbled ornaments. Fording the inlet, the faerie … Continue reading
The Ten Virtues of Tea
Liu Zhenliang of the Tang dynasty The Ten Virtues of Tea Take tea to dispel melancholy, banish sleep, increase vitality, expel disease, initiate decorum and humanity, express respect, cultivate sophistication, nurture the body, … 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
The Abolition of Caked Tea by Imperial Decree
The Veritable Records of Emperor Taizu of the Great Ming Dynasty Sixteenth day, ninth lunar month, twenty-fourth year [1391] of the Hongwu reign period An Imperial Decree on the Jianning Annual Offering of Tribute … 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
Hymn to Tea
Wuzhu of the Tang dynasty Hymn to Tea Deep, secluded valleys bear forth the divine herb: The luminous means to Enter the Way. Gatherers picking leaves; Delicate flavors flowing into bowls. Peace and purity … Continue reading
A Song of Drinking Tea on the Departure of Zheng Rong
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Jiaoran of the Tang dynasty A Song of Drinking Tea on the Departure of Zheng Rong The immortal Danqiu abandoned eating jade … Continue reading
Happy that Tea Grows in the Garden
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Wei Yingwu of the Tang dynasty Happy that Tea Grows in the Garden Its purity cannot be stained. Drinking it washes away … Continue reading