Experts on Drinking: Eastern Style Book Series

Author: Tang Dabin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Tea and wine are ancient friends, but their temperaments are utterly opposite. One is quiet, generous, like a scholarly man of deep affection, while the other is boisterous and fierce, like a man of noble spirit. Tea is internal energy, lacking a noisy exterior and an exuberant posture. A shallow pour releases a fragrance that fills the air, with a clear and lingering aroma, as friendship slowly flows and conversation gently unfolds. Tea embodies the shy and gentle warmth of inner emotions. Wine, when consumed, can produce intense stimulation. Tea has a soothing, penetrating quality, seeping into every pore, gradually generating a comforting effect. Some people prefer wine, some prefer tea, and some enjoy both, not by deliberate choice or careful arrangement, but often naturally. The habit of wine or tea is usually innate. Wine becomes richer with age, while tea becomes more fragrant when fresh. Wine values age, while tea values freshness. Sometimes, a low-end fresh tea is better than a high-end aged tea from the previous year. A cup of tea, brewed multiple times, tastes completely different—first light, then fragrant, then sweet and bitter, and finally bland. The essence of tea is "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility." "Harmony" refers to peace and serenity; "respect" means reverence and mutual respect; "purity" signifies cleanliness and freshness; and "tranquility" denotes seclusion and stillness. People living in modern society are often busy, rarely having the leisurely disposition of the ancients. However, if everyone could maintain a peaceful and humble mindset like when drinking tea, and treat others with such a spirit, chaos would be far from life. The Tang poet Yuan Zhen wrote a famous seven-character poem (also known as the "one-seven style") titled "Tea":
Tea. Fragrant leaves, tender buds.
Admired by poets, loved by monks.
Grinding white jade, weaving red silk.
In the pot, the golden flowers bloom as the tea steeps.
At night, accompanied by the moon; in the morning, facing the dawn.
Washing away the fatigue of ages, how can one boast of being drunk before?
This is the mystery of tea and Zen.
Wine is a versatile spirit—it burns like fire, yet freezes like ice; it lingers like a dream, yet is as cruel as a demon; it is soft like silk, yet sharp as a steel knife. It is everywhere, all-powerful. It is admirable and pitiable, deserving of praise and condemnation. It can inspire people to transcend worldly suffering, unleash their talents, and live unrestrainedly. It can also lead people to plunge recklessly into the depths of despair, strip away their masks, reveal their true selves, and speak the truth. Many renowned experts have offered insightful remarks on tea appreciation and wine drinking, which we have compiled into this book, allowing you to experience the mystery of tea and the essence of wine.