Tea Competetion

Zhao, MengFu <Yuan Dynasty (1206 - 1368 A.D.)>

The tea competition was a popular game in the Song and Yuan Dynasty (10th - 14th Centery, A.D.). It was enjoyed by all social classes at the time. The competitors cooked the tea by some specific procedures and game rules. By comparing the taste, color, smell and quality of the tea soup, the winner will be respected as the most skilled, experienced and knowledgeable tea master who controlled the Tao of Tea. In the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 A.D.), many emperors were loyal fans of the tea competition.

Among all the royal family members, Zhao Meng Fu was one of the most famous artists in China's art history. In 1279 Song was overthrown by the Yuan Dynasty. Zhao MengFu was captured by the Mongolia army. Although many of the royal members committed suicide when their country was defeated, Zhao MengFu selected surrender to the Yuan Emperor and became an officer of the new government.

The Picture of Tea Competition depicted the tea competition game in the Song Dynasty. There were four people in that picture divided into two groups: in each group, the older people with beard was the primary player, while the young guy beside them acted as their assistants.

Among the group on the left side, the young man was leaning his body forwardly, with a tea pot in the hands, bending his forearms inside, pointing elbows outside. He looked strong and healthy. The older player held a cup in his left hand, with a small tea stove in his right hand. He was holding his head upright and smiling, confident about the victory.

The other group was more concentrated on the game. The primary player was taking a empty cup in his left hand and another half-full cup in the right hand. He was smelling and drinking the tea in the right hand, while the young assistant staring back to his competitor, not overcome, showing his spirit of challenge to his rival.

This picture showed the scene of a daily entertainment happened one thousand years ago. It is also a nice evidence of the Chinese tea culture.