Saionji Shonagon
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One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on May 21, 2011 21:18:47 GMT -5
Just finished The Japanese Way of Tea: From Its Origin in China to Sen Rikyu [Paperback] by Dr. Sen Shoshitsu XV.
It traces the history of tea culture from China and its dissemination and evolution in Japan up through the 16th century. Includes discussions of Lu Yu's Classic of Tea, Eisai's treatise on drinking tea to promote health, tea contests in the Muromachi period and the aesthetics that would shape ceremonial tea from Joo and Junko through Sen Rikyu.
It raised at least as many questions as it answered and was a fascinating read. Definitely worth your time if you're interested in tea and tea ceremony.
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Post by Suzuki Ken'ichi on May 22, 2011 0:14:28 GMT -5
Oh, you did find an English translation, then?
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Post by Noriko on May 22, 2011 10:17:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the review. When you mean by 'raised questions', do you mean merely musings on your part or did you find there were major gaps in the research that you wish were covered or huge leaps on logic/argument on the authors part? Other than that, I'm not a big tea person but I find imbibing cultures[1] to be fascinating and I might have to pick this one up.
[1]Tea ceremony, wine tasting, etc. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a tea I like and I have almost no alcohol tolerance. Oh well...
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on May 22, 2011 10:18:47 GMT -5
If you mean did I find an English translation of Eisai, no.* However, Dr. Sen discusses Eisai's tea treatise for a full chapter with enough direct quotes and paraphrases to get the major points across. (*Sadly, most of the primary sources cited in the bibliography are in Japanese, which most of us here cannot avail ourselves of.) And the "questions raised" part is the sort of thing that's omitted from the historical record. If Sashimi no Teafancier writes that he went to a tea contest on Saturday night at the home of a friend, I want to know how the contest works, what snacks might be served along side, what other entertainments were laid on and so forth. Of course, diarists don't write down what they consider common knowledge because they're writing for themselves, not for posterity. * tousando.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=research&action=display&thread=3648
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Post by Noriko on May 22, 2011 16:09:16 GMT -5
Ah, thanks for the clarification. I've read a few books where the author writes such as, "Sashimi no Teafancier went to a Tea Contest. He was never heard from again. Meanwhile, in Portugal, in 1542...." You end up scouring the pages wondering what the heck happened and if you missed something.[1] Sounds like a good read though. They might be able to get it in for me at my Friendly Neighborhood Bookstore but Amazon also has copies.
Edit: Also, in regards to snacks served, I wonder if the "Chado:The Way of Tea: A Tea Masters Almanac[2]" might be of interest. I work at a university and they had a copy in the library (I was killing time before catching the bus) and it listed all sorts of small plates and desserts. Granted, it is probably quite post period and it's a book of lists rather than a more informative text but if you can get it through an interlibrary loan, it might be worth a peek.
[1]Ok, one book I read got a pass because there was a manufacturing error and some pages got flipped around. [2]http://www.amazon.com/Chado-Way-Tea-Japanese-Masters/dp/0804837163/ref=pd_sim_b_1
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Post by Suzuki Ken'ichi on May 22, 2011 20:37:17 GMT -5
Heh. Sashimi no Chagakoi. Maybe I should take that as my persona name.
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 14, 2011 14:31:26 GMT -5
I have a duplicate copy of this book - turns out it was in the collection my friend sent me back east. I'd be happy to free up the shelf space for the price of shipping it to someone. Any takers?
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nana
New Member
~Think Pink~ "I'm obnoxious!"
Posts: 145
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Post by nana on Nov 14, 2011 17:01:04 GMT -5
Me me me! *Waving arm above head wildly*
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 14, 2011 18:34:52 GMT -5
I believe the technical term for that classical dance pose is "Kermit Arms." Check your private messages.
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Lady Kimiko
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I'm busy making tea bowls these days.
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Post by Lady Kimiko on Nov 23, 2011 9:07:56 GMT -5
I actually have a book Im starting to read that details the tea contests and games...
Give me a few and Ill let you know about them.
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nana
New Member
~Think Pink~ "I'm obnoxious!"
Posts: 145
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Post by nana on Nov 23, 2011 13:46:13 GMT -5
Thank you for the book! It arrived safely! I'm loving it!
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 23, 2011 14:33:37 GMT -5
Thank you for the book! It arrived safely! I'm loving it! Good! I found it pretty interesting and thorough.
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Post by Suzuki Ken'ichi on Nov 25, 2011 12:54:04 GMT -5
I actually have a book (...) Give me a few and Ill let you know about them. Actually, if you could just give bibliographic details about the book, I'd be jazzed.
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