【I Tried Creating a Reiwa-era Pillow Book】#SpringIsAtDawn
Hello. I'm Tea, the Sei Shonagon of the Japanese green tea industry. (Self-proclaimed)
Spring is at dawn. This is a phrase everyone knows. It seems the Pillow Book is like what we call an essay in modern times. In other words, it's the Heian-era version of a blog.
This time, I, Tea, who loves green tea, have created a modern version of the Pillow Book.
Back in the Heian period, Sei Shonagon wrote about the beauty of the "dawn."
For me, Tea, spring is definitely this scenery. After more than 1,000 years, I've updated the Pillow Book. I've also included a modern translation!
So, please listen. This is Tea, with the Green Tea Book. (I'm saying this like I'm at a live concert.)
In spring, it's new tea.
The tea fields gradually turning green, shining a little, with young leaves trailing thinly, is wonderful.
In summer, it's cold-brewed.
After a bath, it's even better. Even in the darkness, the many ice cubes floating and clinking together are lovely. Also, two or three pieces faintly glowing as they drift is also charming.
In autumn, it's deep-steamed.
The sunset shines in, and the sediment settled at the bottom of the teacup looks very deep,
the steam wavers, and the aroma spreads across the room, which is truly wonderful.
After the sun has set, the warmth of the vessel soaking into the heart is beyond words.
In winter, it's with a teapot.
Snow falling goes without saying, and frost that is very white is also wonderful.
Warming the teapot, the sound of the hot water being poured is very clear and very fitting.
Beyond the steam, the room filled with just warmth and fragrance is truly magnificent.
Modern Translation
In spring, new tea is best.
The tea fields gradually taking on a green hue, shining a little, and the young leaves trailing thinly is wonderful.
In summer, cold-brewed is best.
A cup after a bath is, needless to say, the best.
On a quiet summer night, the sound of ice cubes clinking together has an indescribable atmosphere.
Also, the last two or three pieces faintly glowing as if reluctant to disappear is also wonderful.
In autumn, deep-steamed tea is best.
The sunset shines in, and the deep green sediment settled at the bottom of the teacup looks vivid,
the steam rising and wavering, and the aroma spreading throughout the room is truly wonderful.
After the sun has set and it has become quiet, the gentle warmth of the vessel in your hand soaking into your heart is, needless to say, the best.
In winter, a teapot is best.
Snow falling goes without saying, and frost covering everything in white is also wonderful.
Warming the teapot and the sound of hot water being poured into it ringing out clearly is very fitting for the winter scenery.
Beyond the steam, the room filled with warmth and fragrance is truly magnificent and blissful.
Sei Shonagon-san.
I borrowed your name without permission at the beginning. I'm sorry.
Japan 1,000 years later has become a very wealthy and peaceful country. If there were a time machine, I would want to deliver tea to you first of all.
If you could drink Chiran tea, I'm sure you would have been happy and said,"How very charming!"As a human living in this era, I will do my very best!
To ensure that Chiran tea continues for another 1,000 years.
(The Green Tea Book was created with Gemini!)