Chapter IV · The Vessels: Practice today — Ladle it with a gourd into the bowls, so that…
"Ladle it with a gourd into the bowls, so that the foam is evenly divided. The foam — the froth — is the flower of the soup."
Chapter III · The Making: Terroir — Some praise tea that is glossy, black, and even —…
"Some praise tea that is glossy, black, and even — that is the lowest judgment. Some praise what is wrinkled, yellow, and uneven — that is a middling judgment. But to call everythi
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 I · The Origin: Vessels and fire — Picked out of season, made carelessly, adulterated with wild weeds…
"Picked out of season, made carelessly, adulterated with wild weeds, drinking it brings illness. The harm of tea, too, is like that of ginseng."
Chapter X · The Illustration: Words and things — Write it out on silk, in four or six panels…
"Write it out on silk, in four or six panels, and place them by your seat — then the Origin, the Implements, the Making, the Vessels, the Brewing, the Drinking, the History, the Pr
Chapter VII · The History: Practice today — In the Search for the Supernatural: Xia Houkai died of…
"In the Search for the Supernatural: Xia Houkai died of illness; his kinsman Gou Nu, who could see spirits, watched him come to fetch his horse and afflict his wife. Wearing a flat
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Terroir — Gathering in shade and roasting by night is not true…
"Gathering in shade and roasting by night is not true making; tasting and sniffing is not true judging; rank-smelling vessels are not true utensils; greasy fuel and kitchen charcoa
Chapter V · The Brewing: Close reading — When roasting the tea, beware of roasting over a windy…
"When roasting the tea, beware of roasting over a windy ash-fire, where leaping flames make the heat uneven. Hold it near the fire and turn it again and again, until bumps rise lik
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."