Chapter II · The Implements: Practice today — 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 I · The Origin: Terroir — The use of tea: its nature is extremely cold, and…
"The use of tea: its nature is extremely cold, and as a beverage it is most suited to men of disciplined conduct and frugal virtue."
Chapter IX · The Omissions: Plain reading — 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 VII · The History: History — Zuo Si's poem The Doting Daughters reads: 'Their hearts race…
"Zuo Si's poem The Doting Daughters reads: 'Their hearts race for the tea, they puff and blow upon the tripod.'"
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Commentary — Those who cultivate tea may grow several hundred clumps; the…
"Those who cultivate tea may grow several hundred clumps; the tree like gualu, leaves like gardenia, flowers like white rose, fruit like palm."
Chapter V · The Brewing: Practice today — When the water first boils — with bubbles like fish…
"When the water first boils — with bubbles like fish eyes and a faint sound — that is the first boil. When bubbles rise along the rim like a linked string of spring pearls, that is
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Terroir — 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: Plain reading — 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
Chapter I · The Origin: Taste and body — If one takes qini in place of ginseng, none of…
"If one takes qini in place of ginseng, none of the six ailments will be cured. Understand how ginseng may mislead, and the pitfalls of tea become clear."
Chapter I · The Origin: Words and things — As for the character, it is sometimes written with the…
"As for the character, it is sometimes written with the grass radical, sometimes with the tree radical, and sometimes with both."