北苑
Term · History
Beiyuan imperial tea gardens
Literal meaning
northern park
Definition#
The imperial tea gardens and workshops of Jianzhou (modern Jian'ou, Fujian), the chief source of Song tribute tea. Picking for the court began under the Southern Tang; dragon-phoenix moulds were set up in 977. The Xuanhe Beiyuan gongcha lu (宣和北苑贡茶录) records its teas. It lies outside the Wuyi area; production shifted to Wuyi after the Ming ended cake tribute.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | Beiyuan imperial tea gardens Song tribute-tea estate at Jianzhou pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| Deutsch | Beiyuan Tributteegut der Song in Jianzhou pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| Русский | Бэйюань сунское поместье дань-чая в Цзяньчжоу pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字繁體字 | 北苑 | |
| 日本語 | 北苑御茶園 |
Common confusions#
- Often placed in Wuyishan; it is at Jian'ou, and Wuyi took over only later.
- Same word names a Beijing neighbourhood and, by metonymy, the painter Dong Yuan.