The Old Tea Seller: Life and Zen Poetry in 18th Century Kyoto

Let me say up front that I'm into tea and Zen and have an occupational interest in integrative practice (I am a young massage therapist). All that probably give me a slightly different take on this book. While I think that Baisao's poetry is interesting (if, as has been pointed out other places, slightly repetitive) and that Norman Waddell's biographical notes are informative, what really gets me about this book is the picture it presents of a man who chose a very difficult path and then "literally walked the talk" as he made his way through life along it.Gekkai Gensho - who became known as Basisao - was born in the last quarter of the seventeenth century and serves as a Zen priest on the Japanese island of Kyushu until he was in his late forties. Then, evidently as a way to deepen his conviction of his own sincerity in his philosophical beliefs, he traveled 500 miles, apparently mostly on foot, to Kyoto. For the rest of his life, in and around that region, he lives a life of Spartan simplicity as he wandered around, ultimately settling down, offering his tea and, later, his calligraphy to any who would have it, depending on their desire to offer a gift to support himself. His reward wasn't so much the bare sustenance that the small gifts afforded but his ability to live up to the stern precept he had set for himself.This all sounds very otherworldly and almost suspiciously worthy when put down in such bald fashion, and there can be no doubt that Baisao was highly ethical in his pursuit of following the purest possible path toward the realization of his beliefs. Having said that, the feeling that I carry away from this book is that he found his life deeply satisfying because his ability to live in such a fashion continually reinforces that he had indeed followed the correct path.I don't think that my summary does this book justice. Let's just say that I found this book, which was recommended to me by a friend, both enjoyable and thought provoking. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in eighteenth-century Japanese history, Zen, individualistic character studies from any era, and especially the cost and compensations of taking the road less traveled.

If you are a tea drinker, you will like this book. If you also enjoy history or spiritual studies, you will love it! It's a captivating account of a Japanese Zen master who traded life as a Buddhist priest for selling tea on the streets of 18th century Kyoto. Highly regarded for his humility and asceticism by his contemporaries, we get to hear his own voice through his personal correspondence and poetry. Thanks to the careful gathering and preservation of his writings, we are privileged to share in the thoughts and observations of this unique individual across time and cultures. You will want to brew a good pot of tea while you're reading!

This is an excellent survey of an important and interesting poet. I loved how he was such an atypical Zen monk and found his own way to detach from the world different from living in a monastery. I especially appreciated how the text about his life is interspersed with his poetry, allowing the reader to see more of the context in which it was written. This was much better than the biographies of other Zen and Taoist poets I have read where they separate the biographical material from the poems. It is an engaging and enjoyable read.

You don't have to appreciate tea to appreciate this book. This is a collection of translated poems and stories from old Kyoto teahouses of the 17th and 18th century. For those into poetry and zen philosophy then please look into this book. The language is wonderful and the translation is magnificent. These stories and poems take the reader to a time when life was slower and there was no 'larger world'.I recommend you brew a pot of tea (or other relaxing beverage) and read a few pages. It is a pleasant and soothing experience.

A very detailed biography of Bai Sao with English translations of his poetry included. I just wishthe original Japanese was also given. And more examples of his calligraphy.

Reading this book took me back to old Kyoto and let me feel like I was sitting with the great Zen Master, Baisao, sipping tea surrounded by cherry blossoms, Buddhist temples and gardens. I savoured every page and took my time reading it so as to prolong the pleasure.

Kindle version is pathetic. Cant increase font size. Would love my mi et back on this one. Thanks amazon for bing super laxy

fantastic book.

Excellent copy really like new for a very interesting book.

The life of this man is surprising. Monk till 49 years old and after baisao, street tea seller in different panoramic points of Kyoto, and in a way completely new. The book presents his wide poetic production, so fine. Another great book by Norman Waddell.