Zhao Ji - "The Tea Emperor"

Zhao Ji, known as Emperor Huizong of Song, was one of the most famous emperors in Chinese history (reigning from 1100 to 1126). He is renowned for his artistic talents and deep passion for cultural pursuits. Not only was he an exceptional calligrapher, painter, and poet, but he also conducted profound research into tea culture, earning him the posthumous title of "Tea Emperor." His work, Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era (Daguan Chalun), is a significant document in the history of Chinese tea culture. Written in the first year of the Daguan era (1107), it comprehensively records the essence of Song Dynasty tea practices and his unique insights into tea.

Emperor Huizong lived during the Northern Song Dynasty, a time when tea culture in China reached its zenith. The Song Dynasty’s "tea whisking method" (diancha) was prevalent, where tea leaves were ground into powder and whisked with hot water to create a frothy tea broth. This method of tea drinking was not only a daily pleasure but also an art form pursued by literati and scholars. Despite being an emperor, Zhao Ji was deeply enamored with this populist tea culture. He not only participated in tea-related activities himself but also elevated them to the realms of philosophy and aesthetics.

Historical records note that Zhao Ji frequently engaged in "tea competitions" (斗茶dou cha, a contest of tea-making skills) with his courtiers in the palace and used tea as a means to bond with others. He particularly admired white tea, valuing its pure color and refined taste as a symbol of nobility and integrity. In Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era, he provided detailed descriptions of white tea’s production and tasting, demonstrating his deep understanding of the subject.

The Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era consists of twenty sections, covering everything from tea cultivation, harvesting, and processing to the tools and methods used in brewing and drinking. Its content is thorough and systematic. Zhao Ji not only focused on technical details but also infused the text with his aesthetic sensibilities and philosophical reflections. For instance, he emphasized that "tea is primarily about taste, followed by aroma, and then color," asserting that the essence of tea lies in its intrinsic flavor rather than its outward appearance.

This work also reflects the Song Dynasty’s societal emphasis on tea. Zhao Ji noted that tea was not merely a beverage but also served purposes of health and self-cultivation. He wrote, "Tea, with its cold nature, is the most suitable drink—it relieves heat and thirst, dispels vexation, and awakens the spirit." This perspective resonated with the Taoist and Confucian ideologies of the time, illustrating his unique approach of integrating tea culture with principles of governance.

The creation of the Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era was closely tied to Zhao Ji’s personal experiences. 

During his reign, the Northern Song Dynasty’s power was already showing signs of decline, yet he remained immersed in art and pleasure. Tea culture became a refuge for him from the pressures of reality. Ironically, however, this "Tea Emperor" was ultimately captured by the Jin army during the Jingkang Incident (1127), marking the end of his lavish imperial life—a stark contrast to the refined world of tea he described in his writings. Nevertheless, as a pinnacle of Song Dynasty tea culture, the Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era endured through the ages, profoundly influencing the development of tea culture in China and East Asia. It is not only a testament to Zhao Ji’s personal talents but also a cultural portrait of Song Dynasty society.

Zhao Ji, the "Tea Emperor," elevated the art of tea to its zenith through the Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era. His story is both an emperor’s pursuit of beauty and a microcosm of the cultural flourishing of the Song Dynasty. Yet, living in a time of turmoil, he was unable to save his dynasty’s fate through the way of tea, leaving posterity with endless reflections.