Mon Jan 28, 2019 1:54 am
Do we have any Ang Lee film fans here?
Enter Croutching Tiger Hidden Dragon - Our Jianghu hero Li Mubai (Chow Yun-Fat) is tasked with the duty of protecting a dangerously powerful sword, the Green Destiny – But in the days before the sword can be relocated to a safer place, it is stolen from our unsuspecting heroes by a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Yu Jiaolong (Zhang Ziyi). The sword is known for its incredible craftsmanship and power, truly a force to be feared in the hands of a master. Jiaolong is a very skilled martial artist despite her tender age and innocent features. She has already surpassed her master, though she has kept this fact well-hidden. While the sword is as mighty as the legends tell, Jiaolong’s skill is nothing to be underestimated either. When she finally faces Li Mubai as he demands the return of the stolen sword, Jiaolong finally realizes the incredible gap between raw talent and true mastery. Even with the aid of her newly nicked treasure, Green Destiny, she is no match for the swordsman Li Mubai. While effortlessly repelling Jiaolong’s every strike, Li Mubai attempts to convince the young martial artist that with practice and focus she would undoubtedly master the sword.
TL;DR - The legendary sword isn't what makes Li Mubai famed as a swordsman/martial artist in the Jianghu. Rather, his years of training and meditation shaped the martial artist that he is.
While I'm well aware of the dangers of romanticizing stories, the message I'm trying to shoehorn in here is that the choice of teaware hopefully isn't what makes the tea great. Folks use everything from bowls to rare pots to boilers...there are pros and cons to whatever choice. I'd say that the most important factors in a great cup of tea are good water, good tea, and focus/technique/attention (whatever you'd like to call it). Enjoy what you use, but don't let it overshadow the other parts of brewing tea that are imho vastly more pressing to pay attention to. With all of that said, if a piece brings pleasure in any way to your sessions, that is a net positive. Even if somehow looking at a beautiful design enhances your experience of the tea, more power to it!