Chapter II · The Implements: Close reading — The guan skewer is cut from bamboo, two and a…
"The guan skewer is cut from bamboo, two and a half feet long, for stringing tea cakes to roast."
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Vessels and fire — For tea bowls, those of Yuezhou are best, Dingzhou and…
"For tea bowls, those of Yuezhou are best, Dingzhou and Wuzhou next; of the Yuezhou type, Yue is finest, then Shouzhou and Hongzhou."
Chapter III · The Making: Words and things — The bamboo-shoot-like buds, growing in rich rocky soil, reach four…
"The bamboo-shoot-like buds, growing in rich rocky soil, reach four or five inches, like young ferns just unfolding; they are picked while the morning dew is still on them."
Chapter II · The Implements: History — The stove should have no chimney; the cauldron should have…
"The stove should have no chimney; the cauldron should have a lipped rim."
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Misreadings — When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint…
"When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint sound, that is the first boil; when the rim seethes like linked pearls, the second; when it surges like waves, the third. Be
Chapter III · The Making: Modern tea science — Tea takes a thousand forms. To speak roughly: some are…
"Tea takes a thousand forms. To speak roughly: some are like barbarian boots, puckered and shriveled; some like the chest of a wild ox, ribbed and draped; some like clouds rising f
Chapter II · The Implements: One-page summary — The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made…
"The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made of stone; otherwise of locust or mulberry wood, half-buried in the ground so that it will not rock."
Chapter IX · The Omissions: Words and things — As for the making tools: if at early spring, during…
"As for the making tools: if at early spring, during the cold-food days, one gathers with many hands in a wild temple or mountain garden, steaming and pounding on the spot, then dr
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Making — The wind stove is cast of copper or iron, shaped…
"The wind stove is cast of copper or iron, shaped like an ancient tripod."
Chapter II · The Implements: Words and things — The yu storage cabinet is made of wood, woven of…
"The yu storage cabinet is made of wood, woven of bamboo, and pasted with paper. It has a shelf inside, a cover above, a base below, and a door at the side, with one panel shut. Wi