Ching Dynasty painter Zhen Banqiao wrote a number of poems with tea theme

-- martin tai (cg081@torfree.net), May 19, 1999

Answers

A Small Garden

Over the balcony the cool moon shone bright

The fence gate was still ajar in this young night

Strolling lantern through the woods ushered my guest

Rising smokes from the bamboo bush responded to my tea request

Scattered dog barks accompanied falling meteors from the Autumn sky

Whiffs of wind carried melancholic tune from distant flute

We sat and talked long and deep till dawn crept upon us

The green moss was full with cold dew crimsoned by aurora of twilight

A poem by Zhen Ban Chiao-- painter/poet in Ching Dynasty. Translated by Martin Tai



-- martin (gisling@hotmail.com), November 04, 2004.

Zheng Ban Chiao's letter to his brother

Over the river, the rain just ceased, overnight mist has completely clear out. The woods, the flowers and green willows all took a cleansing to wait for the arrival of morning sun. Birds are merrily greeting people, and a light breeze invites dancing waves. Even the mountains in Wu and Chu are dressing up in radiant greens almost wanting to wade across the river to join us. At this very moment, I am sitting in a tea house on top of the water, brewing Dragon and Phoenix tea, burning floral incense, and urge a friend of mine to play the tune of "Plum Flowers are Falling" on flute. This is real fairyland on earth !

Translated from "Letter to Brother From Riverville Tea House in Yi Zhen County" by Zhen Ban Chiao

Note: Zhen Ban Chiao (1692 - 1737) was a famous painter, poet and caligrapher of Ching Dynasty during the reigns of Kang Xi, Ch'ien Lung

martin tai

{posted to rec.photo.drink.tea Mar 26,1998 )



-- martin (gisling@hotmail.com), November 04, 2004.

Paintings of Zhen Banqiao

-- martin tai (cg081@torfree.net), November 12, 1999.