Category Archives for Literature
The Orchid Pavilion Preface
In the ninth year of the Yonghe reign, the guichou cycle, at the onset of the end of spring, we gather in Shanyin on Mount Kuaiji at the Orchid Pavilion for the purification ritual. Here the able … Continue reading
Listening for Silence
Among the literati and aristocracy of dynastic China, the art of tea was a culinary and cultural pursuit of primary import, a social and creative activity that developed from the ancient practices of chefs de cuisine, physicians, … Continue reading
The Song of Tea
Lu Tong (790–835) Writing in Haste to Thank Imperial Grand Master of Admonishment Meng for Sending New Tea The sun is as high as a ten-foot measure and five, and I am … Continue reading
The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu
Lu Wenxue zizhuan 陸文學自傳, The Autobiography of Imperial Instructor Lu by Lu Yu (circa 733–804) An Annotated Translation, Introduction, and Commentary by Steven D. … Continue reading
Chajing, The Book of Tea
Chajing, The Book of Tea by Lu Yu (circa 733-804) An Annotated Translation, Introduction, and Commentary by Steven D. Owyoung Introduction to … Continue reading
Water as Metaphor
Once, the philosopher Confucius (a.k.a. Master Kong, circa 551–479 B.C.E.), stood staring intently at water flowing eastward. A disciple saw him and posed a question, addressing the sage as Gentleman: “Why, when the Gentleman sees a great body of … Continue reading
First Spring Under Heaven
In 1784, the Qianlong emperor (1711–1799, reign 1735–1796) composed Record of Jade Spring Mountain, First Spring Under Heaven in which he concluded his study of water and advanced Jade Spring in the hills west of Beijing as the foremost freshwater … Continue reading
Lu Yu’s Names
The Tang dynasty tea master Lu Yu 陸羽 (ca. 733-804 ca.) was known in his lifetime and throughout history by many names. The following appellations provide just some of the names by which he was known during his lifetime … Continue reading
Lament at the Stupa of Jiaoran and the Tomb of Lu Yu
Meng Jiao of the Tang dynasty Accompanying Lu Cheng Back to Huzhou, I Composed a Lament to the Dead at the Stupa of Jiaoran and the Tomb of Lu Yu Pouring rain before the temple, Pale … Continue reading
Poem
Wang Fuli of the Qing Dynasty Poem Dawn flower, evening moon Worthy host, splendid guest Speaking freely of past and present Tasting tea, one after another… Between Heaven and Earth, is there anything more enjoyable? 清 王復禮 … Continue reading
Discourse Between Tea and Wine
Discourse Between Tea and Wine, ca. 742-760, one juan and preface by the Presented Prefectural Nominee, Wang Fu (ca. mid 8th century) I dare say that Shennong the Divine Cultivator tasted the Hundred Plants, and thereafter the Five Grains were … 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