Category Archives for Translation
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
An Excess of Tea
When Huan Xuan had his army, there was a commander general who — because of an epidemic — contracted a feverish illness that caused him to constantly drink tea. He had to imbibe one hu … Continue reading
Baisaō’s Verse on Tea
Kō Yūgai of the Edo Period Verse on Tea Going far to China in search of the sacred shoots Old Eisai brought them back to sow in our land The taste of Uji tea is … Continue reading
Sending Lu Hongjian Off to Pick Tea at Qixia Temple
Huangfu Ran of the Tang Sending Lu Hongjian Off to Pick Tea at Qixia Temple Gathering tea is not plucking greens: Far, far away rises the rim of the cliff. Leaves cloaked by a warm spring wind, Baskets filled by … Continue reading
Miscellaneous Rhymes on Tea
Pi Rixiu of the Tang dynasty Miscellaneous Rhymes on Tea Tea Garden At leisure, seeking Mount Yaoshi. Finding and entering the tranquil garden. Cultivating tea and creating the estate, Planting tea and planning the field. … Continue reading
Tea and the Materia Medica of Tao Hongjing
Tao Hongjing of the Liang dynasty Baiying and Kucai Baiying 白英, white flower. Its taste is sweet, its medicinal character is cold, and it is not poisonous. It cures chills and fever, the eight jaundices, … Continue reading
Inscription for the Gentleman of Principle
Sheng Yong of the Ming dynasty Inscription for the Gentleman of Principle Shaped like the vault of Heaven and the square of Earth: Bamboo sheathed metal, bamboo wrapped clay. Within, a lively fire burns, Bearing … 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
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