If there’s one figure in history that those of us entrenched in Chinese tea culture have to hold in high esteem, it is the 8th century scholar Lu Yu (陆羽), often called the “Sage of Tea,” and sometimes called the “Saint of Tea.” His best known work, the Cha Jing (茶經, “Classic of Tea”), is still highly valuable in tea scholarship today, for its breadth of information, but also for the historical context it provides about tea culture during the Tang Dynasty. The work is frustratingly difficult to obtain in English translation, since it has been out of print for decades. The translation by Frances Ross Carpenter is generally available used through Amazon in what appears to be two different editions: The Classic of Tea
There is a new translation by Warren Peltier of select portions of the Cha Jing which is currently in pre-publication, and hopefully it will become available to the community of contemporary tea scholars in the near future.
If you’re not hampered by needing to read an English translation, the Cha Jing can be read on Project Gutenberg in Chinese. It is also readily available and affordable in print in Chinese editions.
A few details on Lu Yu’s life, excerpted from Lu Yu and Chinese Tea Culture:
Born in 733 AD in the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), Lu Yu was an orphan adopted by a monk in modern day Hubei Province. At that time, drinking tea became a nationwide tradition. (Tea drinking originally appeared in Southern China, and until the mid-Tang Dynasty it started to gain favor with Northern Chinese). The widespread distribution of tea can be attributed to the extensive practice of Zen Buddhism in the whole country. Because sleeping and eating were strictly prohibited for Buddhists practicing meditation, they could only drink tea. Many monks were tea connoisseurs at the same time.
The monk who adopted Lu Yu was a tea lover and Lu Yu prepared tea for him from childhood. As the years passed, Lu Yu’s skill at preparing tea improved and he developed a great interest in the brew. In his late years, Lu Yu withdrew from the outside world and concentrated on research into tea. The fruits of his research were written down in his masterpiece—the Classic of Tea.
The sculptural portrayal of Lu Yu appearing in this post is a snuff bottle. It is a contemporary piece which I believe is probably a reproduction of an antique porcelain snuff bottle. He is only 2.75″ tall, and I anticipate a compulsion to fill his teeny red cup with tea every so often.
Possibly Related Posts:
- 恭喜發財 – Happy Year of the Water Dragon!
- Pure Pu’er
- Chado: The Way of Tea, at ArtXchange
- ATB Blog Carnival: AdagioTeas’ “Roots Campaign.”
- How I generally brew shu pu’er
Nice Lu Yu figurine! I rarely see examples not made of zisha clay. I love Lu Yu’s history — it’s a shame this mini-bio left out the most flavorful part regarding his teenage rebellion, running away an be a street clown for a number of years. I love a revered historical figure with a very human side!
Let me know if you’d like an English txt file of the Ch’a Ching. It’s the best I can find until the book is reprinted.
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Cinnabar Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I considered putting in something about his time as a clown, because I thought it was a pretty awesome fact also.
Is your text of the book the Carpenter translation? I’d love to have a copy of it if you wouldn’t mind sending it to me. cinnabar@gongfugirl.com.
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Left by Charles on September 29th, 2009
Oh no, poor Prince Albert, I thought he was let out of the can years ago, like when I was 8 and thought that was terribly funny – had a good laugh about him, today, thanks! Very nice article! Makes me want to find a copy of the book. How was the big Boston Event?!
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Cinnabar Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Boston was wonderful. I met lots of great people and had excellent conversations. I also handed out a lot of information about the ATB, and everyone I talked to was interested in finding out more about it.
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Left by Marlena on September 29th, 2009
Cool!
Given all the creative tea myths, I’d try putting him on an altar, filling his cup with fine teas every day, and wait for a new varietal of tea bush to pop up, after which I shall drape my jacket over the bush and call it “Nautica” or “REI” oolong, depending on which jacket is closer.
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Cinnabar Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I like the sound of “Goretex Oolong” too.
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Left by Rich on October 1st, 2009
I’d try putting him on an altar, filling his cup with fine teas every day, and wait for a new varietal of tea bush to pop up, after which I shall drape my jacket over the bush and call it “Nautica”.
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Left by eiweibpulver on October 5th, 2009
Nice Lu Yu figurine! It is nice to hear about the saint of tea in the article. The pictures of the saint are really good.
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Left by l-carnitine on October 24th, 2009
Nice Box!
I love to visit your blog at weekend. I like the way you present your post. You have done great yet and hope you will continue with same here. Thank you so much for posting such a nice article again.
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Left by accessoires téléphones portables on November 4th, 2009