The Old Tea Seller: Baisaō : Life and Zen Poetry in 18th Century KyotoPoet, Zen Buddhist priest, renowned thinker, and seller of tea -- Baisao was all of these things, as well as being a bit of an eccentric. Known to carry large wicker baskets filled with tea utensils through the streets and surrounding hills of Japan's capital, Baisao set up shop wherever he ended up and brewed tea for those who came to enjoy the scenery with him. Establishing a quiet, simple life, Baisao spent his final years composing poetry, brewing tea, and teaching Zen, in the process becoming a well-loved figure. These poems, memoirs, and letters tell us more about this endearing person and trace his long life's profound spiritual journey. This comprehensive translation includes nearly all of Baisao's writings, giving us a deep look at this remarkable man. |
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Common terms and phrases
abbot autumn Baisaō Baisaō Gego bamboo tube Blue Cliff Record brazier brewing tea Buddha Buddhist calligraphy Chao-chou China Chinese priest Confucian cup of tea Daichō Daiten Daiyū death Dharma eastern Eisai friends Gekkai Genkō gift Hall Hasuike Hizen province Hōkō-ji Ike Taiga Impromptu inscription Itō Jakuchū Jakuchū Japan Japanese Kamo River kanshi Kerin Kō Yūgai Kodō Kōzan-ji Kyoto Kyūraku Kyushu layman letter living Lu T'ung Mampuku-ji maple Meika monk month mountain Mujū Myõe Nabeshima clan Nagasaki Nagatani Narabi Hills Obaku Obaku priest Okazaki Old Tea Seller Õmi painting period pine trees poem portraits Precepts religious Rengeō-in residence rice Rinzai robe Ryūshin-ji Saga prefecture sages Sanjūsangen-dō selling tea sencha Senka Shōgo-in Shōkoku-ji Shōnin simmered tea spring summer Sutra Tadasu Woods taste tea equipment tea seeds tea utensils teapot temple Tendai Tōfuku-ji Togano-o trip Tsūten Bridge Tu-chan verse written wrote Zen master Zen teacher Zesui