Category Archives for Translation
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
Tea: A Pagoda Poem
Dedicated to Sylvia and Matthew London for their friendship and generosity Yüan Zhen of the Tang dynasty Tea: A Pagoda Poem Tea Fragrant leaves, tender buds The desire of poets, the love … Continue reading
Wandering Immortal
Guo Pu of the Eastern Jin Poem Nine of Nineteen Poems on Wandering Immortal Picking herbs, roaming the great mountains: I deter the decay of old age. Nurturing breath and liquid jade: A marvelous … Continue reading
Biographies of Lu Yü: Translations and Texts
Transmitted Records of the Great Tang Dynasty Author unknown, 9th century C.E. Number twenty-four Lu Hongjian was fond of tea. He wrote the Book of Tea in three volumes; the book was … Continue reading
Hermitage of the Single Branch
Hermitage of the Single Branch Dedicated to Brother Anthony of Taizé and Master Hong Keong-hee in great appreciation for their gift of Tea Koreana In 1823, the Venerable Cho-ui went into … Continue reading
The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu
The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu The given name of Master Lu is Yü and his courtesy name is Hongjian. It is not known where he is from. Some say that his courtesy name … Continue reading
Wandering Immortal
Guo Pu of the Eastern Jin Wandering Immortal The bustling capital is a pitfall for wayward gentlemen. The mountain forest is seclusion for hermits. No need to exalt the vermillion gate; It is incomparable to … Continue reading
Bring in the Wine
Li Bai of the Tang dynasty Bring in the Wine Have you not seen the Yellow River waters flowing from Heaven, Rushing to the sea, never to return? Have you not seen parents’ sorrow in … Continue reading
Excerpt from the Rhapsody on the Capital of Shu
Yang Xiong of the Han dynasty Excerpt from the Rhapsody on the Capital of Shu …Thus, The Five Grains are abundant, The squashes and gourds, aplenty, and The many plants yield thatch and … Continue reading
Thomas Garway’s Broadsheet Advertisement for Tea, circa 1668
“An Exact Description of the Growth, Quality, and Vertues of the Leaf TEA, by Thomas Garway in Exchange Alley, near the Royal Exchange in London, Tobacconist, and Seller and Retailer of TEA and COFFEE. Tea is generally brought from … Continue reading