That Night in Wine: Conversations with Cultural Icons About Alcohol

Author: Yang Yaowen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Wine and literati have always shared an inseparable bond. "A hundred poems in a single night of wine," "sleeping in the text while drunk"—such unrestrained behavior is both a catalyst for masterpieces and an escape of the mind from itself. Cao Cao once said, "What can relieve sorrow? Only Dukang (a poetic term for wine)." In fact, wine is not only thought of when one is troubled; it is drunk in joy, at gatherings with friends, and in farewells. It has long become an indispensable substance in people's lives. Wine has been intertwined with humanity since ancient times. It symbolizes joy and also reflects sorrow; wine is art. It can transport one to a state of bliss, lightness, drowsiness, and ultimately, a drunken oblivion, completely entering another realm. In that realm, people can temporarily shed the constraints of the mortal world, free and unrestrained; they can forget the hustle and bustle and the various troubles of being human. Truly, with a cup in hand, there is endless joy, and in a single raise and lower of the head, the past transforms into clouds of the past. A moderate amount of alcohol helps the mind to soar, like crossing a white crane or riding the breeze. Through the ages, from the heavens to the underworld, all is experienced between one cup and the next. Wine and literati have always shared an inseparable bond. "A hundred poems in a single night of wine," "sleeping in the text while drunk"—such unrestrained behavior is both a catalyst for masterpieces and an escape of the mind from itself. Passion and ambition, joy and sorrow—all are contained within wine. That Night in Wine selects over 50 classic works by Chinese essay masters on wine, guiding readers to appreciate the themes, contexts, and implications of the original texts from different perspectives. While providing readers with spiritual enjoyment, it also opens up a vast space for imagination.