陳偉權(quán)
《影響中國茶文化史的瀑布仙茗》一書,系余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會編撰,前不久由中國文史出版社正式出版。有識之士推薦它為好書,堪稱一項茶文化工程。
深究綠茶之源
茶源于中國,興于亞洲,傳播于世界,茶的故鄉(xiāng)在中國。而茶的原產(chǎn)地在哪里?中華大地上關(guān)于茶的原產(chǎn)地有多種說法。西南說有云貴高原的大茶樹為憑;西北說取《華陽國志 ?巴志》及蒙頂山茶文化佐證;巴蜀說為陸羽《茶經(jīng)》所記;華南說以神農(nóng)氏在湖南的茶陵為由;江浙說更有考古實物和史事記載。各家所說,自有理由。在960萬平方公里的土地上,地理環(huán)境不同,茶又有紅、綠、黃、白、青、黑之分,多元說無可厚非,以綠茶而論,江浙說鑿鑿有據(jù)。余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會探索綠茶之源,揭開了茶文化史上新的一頁。
1973年發(fā)現(xiàn)的余姚河姆渡遺址,表明長江流域和黃河流域一樣,同為中華民族的搖籃。遺址上發(fā)現(xiàn)人工栽培的水稻,當(dāng)時有些自持為稻谷原產(chǎn)地國家的專家,始則懷疑,繼之傾倒,至今世界上人工栽培水稻出自河姆渡再無異議。而茶的原產(chǎn)地在中國,對境外人士來說,早已認(rèn)同。但對于茶產(chǎn)在我國東南沿海地區(qū)、在江浙一帶、在浙東四明山上,中華茶界人士難免心存疑竇。其實,2004年9月在四川雅安召開的第八屆國際茶文化研討會上,其論文集首篇已有文章透露,河姆渡遺址博物館內(nèi)有原始茶遺存。
原始茶遺存在漫長的封建社會里,演繹成何種文化形態(tài)?發(fā)掘整理積淀的茶文化,實施茶文化工程,有待余姚動用大手筆。
2008年,余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會啟動綠茶探源活動,邀請全國著名的茶文化專家來到余姚,在緊依河姆渡遺址的四明山上,兩次到《茶經(jīng)》所記的瀑布泉嶺考察,并于同年11月底,由中國國際茶文化研究會、寧波茶文化促進(jìn)會、余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會聯(lián)合舉辦“中國綠茶探源暨余姚瀑布仙茗研討會”,專家學(xué)者和相關(guān)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)形成了著名的《余姚共識》,共識認(rèn)定:科學(xué)考古,河姆渡遺址出土的樟科植物遺存,符合原始茶充饑、解渴和防病的古老飲茶習(xí)慣,余姚有原始茶源頭。共識又指出,文字記載,由漢仙人丹丘子示余姚人虞洪以大茗,演繹到唐代名茶瀑布仙茗,為中國最早的產(chǎn)茶地之一。
《影響中國茶文化史的瀑布仙茗》一書,以《河姆問茶》為第一章,到最后一章《仙茗發(fā)新韻》收錄《余姚共識》作結(jié),具體地演繹了中國最早的茶類綠茶之源和它的茶文化軌跡。
細(xì)考古茶樹根
2008年在茶文化史上余姚有兩大茶事,事先互不相關(guān),年底回歸同宗,有異曲同工之妙。一樁是專家學(xué)者考察綠茶之源,發(fā)表《余姚共識》;另一樁是考古發(fā)現(xiàn)田螺山遺址有古茶樹根。
與河姆渡遺址相鄰的田螺山遺址,由浙江省文物局和北京大學(xué)考古研究中心于2004年發(fā)掘考古,并請日本金澤大學(xué)、東北大學(xué)教授參與研究,于2008年作出《田螺山遺址自然遺存的綜合研究結(jié)項報告》,同年12月1日《參考消息》發(fā)表題為《中日專家發(fā)現(xiàn)六千年前茶地遺址》一文,指出“此次發(fā)現(xiàn)表明,茶葉可能在更早階段已被栽培,對探索茶葉起源意義重大”。
六千年前余姚有茶地,令人大開眼界。各地茶學(xué)、茶文化及考古學(xué)專家和相關(guān)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)紛紛前往田螺山遺址考察古茶樹根原委。
2004年上半年,在田螺山遺址1米多深的地下出土了多個塊狀和干條狀的樹根,它出土?xí)r全部直立,并大體位于建筑遺址附近。這些植物明顯具有人工栽培的特征。日本東北大學(xué)鈴木三男、金澤大學(xué)中村慎一等6位考古教授鑒定,此處6個樹根樣品均為山茶屬樹根,鑒定指出:“經(jīng)過分析木材樣本,結(jié)果顯示均為山茶屬的同種樹木。……種種跡象表明,這些山
TEA CULTURE茶葉博覽
第十屆全國政協(xié)文史和學(xué)習(xí)委員會副主任、浙江省政協(xié)原主席、中國國際茶文化研究會名譽會長劉楓題詞。
This inscription is done by Liu Feng, director of Cultural Dialogue, for the book on the origin of Chinese green tea.
茶屬的樹木是人工種植的,其木材結(jié)構(gòu)與栽培茶樹一致,這也能夠證明這些山茶屬木材確為茶樹。 ”
為進(jìn)一步證明田螺山出土的樹根為茶樹,最有力的證據(jù)是現(xiàn)代生化檢測,樹根是否有茶樹獨有的茶氨酸成分。余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會依靠權(quán)威部門和專家檢測,這些植物樹根含茶氨酸,但含量明顯少于當(dāng)代茶樹根,當(dāng)時認(rèn)為與六千年的年代久遠(yuǎn)相關(guān)。其實是考古檢測過程中忽略了一個環(huán)節(jié),經(jīng)考古領(lǐng)隊孫國平研究員介紹,茶樹根出土后,為防止風(fēng)化變形,五年來一直浸泡在水中保存。有關(guān)茶專家猛然醒悟,茶氨酸極易溶于水中。于是再把茶樹根連同浸泡過的水做再次檢驗。經(jīng)農(nóng)業(yè)部茶葉質(zhì)量監(jiān)督檢驗測試中心測定,茶氨酸的含量明顯增多。
田螺山遺址同屬河姆渡文化系列,這塊四明山北麓的余姚古土,6000年前已有人工栽培的茶樹。
仙茗的前世今生
從原始茶、古茶樹根以來,余姚茶文化在六千年中同樣璀璨奪目。茶文化專家形成的《余姚共識》,就是以瀑布仙茗為代表。
且看瀑布仙茗的前世與今生。
事情還得從中日交往的一段佳話說起。30多年前,日本有一代表團(tuán)到杭州,他們在品嘗和禮贊西湖龍井后,提出可否品嘗瀑布仙茗。接待人員心中沒底,只得委婉解釋,暫無備用,留待下次再品。說來外交無小事。在統(tǒng)購統(tǒng)銷的計劃經(jīng)濟(jì)年代,事后由省供銷社通知各縣,尋訪瀑布仙茗。綠茶主產(chǎn)區(qū)余姚有關(guān)人士走茶山、訪茶農(nóng)、讀方志、查史料,終于在四明山上白水沖,找到日本客人期盼的瀑布仙茗。同期還找到了瀑布仙茗的最早文字記載,見諸《神異記》:
“余姚人虞洪,入山采茗,遇一道士,牽三青牛(羊),引洪至瀑布山,曰:‘予,丹丘子也。聞子善具飲,常思見惠。山中有大茗,可以相給。祈子他日有甌犧之余,乞相遺也。 因立奠祀。后常令家人入山,獲大茗焉。 ”
《神異記》作者曾以西漢名士東方朔具名,后人考證為西晉洛陽道士王浮所寫。陸羽《茶經(jīng)》記其事,賜茶給余姚人的是漢仙人丹丘子,把大茗命名為仙茗,并在《茶經(jīng) ?八之出》中指明,“浙東以越州上,余姚縣生瀑布泉嶺,曰仙茗。 ”《魯迅全集 ?古小說鉤沉》也有收錄。《浙江省農(nóng)業(yè)志》關(guān)于記述浙江茶葉篇章中,首篇就是丹丘子示虞洪、山中有大茗,為浙江茶葉生產(chǎn)最早的記載。
這樁漢魏六朝的茶事,按西晉王浮所寫計算,也有1700多年歷史,與有的地方茶葉產(chǎn)出年代更早相比,別處多為后人所寫,并且記的是傳說。唐代之前的茶事文獻(xiàn),寥若晨星,即使片言只語,也常作為引經(jīng)據(jù)典的實證。《神異記》所述的余姚茶事,有人物、有對話、有情節(jié)、有行動,寫得如此具體生動,在當(dāng)時全國也是少有的。在瀑布仙茗原產(chǎn)地的遺址上,2009年4月,寧波市人民政府設(shè)立了“瀑布泉嶺古茶碑”。
中國國際茶文化研究會向全國發(fā)布一批“中華文化名茶”和“中國茶文化之鄉(xiāng)”名錄。根據(jù)余姚茶的歷史地位,余姚市是第一個被授予兩塊牌匾的地方。在《影響中國茶文化史的瀑布仙茗》一書中,列出專章,分別記敘了第一個中華文化名茶,第一個中國茶文化之鄉(xiāng)。全國政協(xié)文史學(xué)習(xí)委副主任、中國國際茶文化研究會會長周國富親自為該書作序。序言申明:“瀑布仙茗作為綠茶代表,河姆渡遺址的原始茶遺址應(yīng)是其源頭,六千年田螺山古茶樹根更可
田螺山遺址出土的人工栽培的古茶樹根
The relics of the roots of cultivated tea trees cul-tivated at Tianluoshan site
瀑布泉嶺古茶樹碑揭碑儀式
An unveiling ceremony is held to celebrate the finding of the an-cient tea trees at Waterfall Stream Hill.
專家實地考察瀑布泉嶺古茶樹
Experts conduct a field study on ancient tea trees at Waterfall Stream Ridge.
作證。在漫長的漢魏六朝歲月中,余姚茶傳播到長安、洛陽等地。唐宋以來位列名茶,雖經(jīng)沉浮,仍名垂千秋,堪稱中國第一古名茶,其產(chǎn)地可謂中國綠茶之源?!?/p>
瀑布仙茗原產(chǎn)地在白水沖大瀑布上端,那里風(fēng)光秀美,植被蒼翠,溪流縱橫,云蒸霞蔚,形成獨立的小氣候,至今還有石骨嶙峋的古茶樹遺存,具有得天獨厚的生態(tài)優(yōu)勢、資源優(yōu)勢和人文優(yōu)勢。那里地處北緯30°附近,專家發(fā)現(xiàn)全球北緯 30°附近有名山大川、奇山異水,又有金字塔、“空中花園”、河姆渡遺址等奇跡,中國的十大名茶中,西湖龍井、祁門紅茶、蒙頂甘露等六只名茶,也處于北緯30°附近。瀑布仙茗出產(chǎn)在有奇跡的土地上,適逢盛世,亮點紛呈。
在全國性茶葉參賽評獎中,瀑布仙茗多次獲得金獎,被列為浙江省十大地理標(biāo)志區(qū)域品牌、中國馳名商標(biāo),入選中國鼎尖名茶、上海世博會中國元素禮品茶。瀑布仙茗以其特有的文化內(nèi)涵和優(yōu)良品質(zhì),成為饋送親友的禮品。它的產(chǎn)品結(jié)構(gòu)已經(jīng)發(fā)展成綠、白、黃三大系列,每個系列又有若干等級,受到廣大消費者歡迎。
在歷史長河中,名茶由大茗、仙茗到瀑布仙茗,現(xiàn)在正步向更大規(guī)模的明州仙茗。
茶文化工程備考
呈現(xiàn)在讀者面前的《影響中國茶文化史的瀑布仙茗》精裝本,由中國國際茶文化研究會名譽會長劉楓題寫書名,打開書頁,裝幀精美,圖文并茂,每節(jié)文字以名詩作引子,無論瀏覽還是細(xì)讀,都會開卷有益。
全書文字精益求精,10余萬字,數(shù)易其稿,文史出版社編審評價全書文筆流暢,文字精悍。又傾余姚市攝影家協(xié)會之力,從數(shù)千張圖片中精選圖片入書。從2010年2月著手啟動書稿,到2011年10月成新書,上架新華書店。在20個月時間內(nèi),撰有形之文于帷幄,事先寫無字之書于大地,前前后后投入相當(dāng)?shù)娜肆?、物力?/p>
在完成本書的茶文化工程中,值得一寫編委會主任葉沛芳先生的書外佳話。出本好書,沒有錢是寸步難行的。而有了錢,不一定能出好書。葉沛芳在籌取資金的同時,更多的精力投放在編輯工作上。他曾任慈溪市委常委、宣傳部長,后來從余姚市的主要領(lǐng)導(dǎo)崗位上退下來,現(xiàn)任余姚市茶文化促進(jìn)會會長深諳好書,既是個體腦力勞動的心血結(jié)晶,又必須依靠眾人智慧,集思廣益。他曾說:“這本書如果出了差錯,責(zé)任由我承擔(dān)。 ”從討論全書的編寫大綱、文稿修改到照片選定等一系列工作中,葉沛芳主持了13次編委會議,會上大家暢所欲言,對書稿逐字逐句討論,文字去掉粉飾,提倡白描,表達(dá)真意。在編寫過程中,既發(fā)揚民主,又高度集中,編委會主任真正履職到位。
《影響中國茶文化史的瀑布仙茗》已由浙江圖書館、寧波圖書館的地方文獻(xiàn)部以及天一閣博物館收藏。大批量書本在社會上流轉(zhuǎn),并向世人宣告:到目前為止,余姚是人類煮飲“原始茶”最早的地方,也是世界上人工栽培茶樹最早的地方。至少在晉代之前出產(chǎn)的仙茗,為陸羽《茶經(jīng)》所稱頌,《茶經(jīng)》還贊揚余姚越窯青瓷是全國最好的茶具。當(dāng)你處在清幽的環(huán)境里,伴著幽幽絲竹,品嘗神仙賜予的仙茗,可以陶冶身心,領(lǐng)略有滋有味的人生?!?/p>
日本東北大學(xué)鈴木三男教授參加余姚茶文化學(xué)術(shù)交流活動
Professor Suzuki (left) of Tohoku University of Japan attends an aca-demic exchanges program in Yuyao.
四明山高山云霧茶基地 A high-mountain tea plantation in Siming Mountain
Waterfall Tea, a green tea made in Siming Mountains in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, is believed to have been the grandmother of all green teas in China, according to a recently published book entitled “Waterfall Tea that Impacts the History of Chinese Tea Culture.” The book was put together by Yuyao Association for Promotion Tea Culture and published by China Culture and History Press. It is widely acclaimed as a good book.
It is agreed that tea originated in China before it flourished in Asia and spread all over the world. However, where it originated in China remains controversial. Green tea originated in Yuyao if you believe Yuyao Association for Promoting Tea Culture. The associa-tion believes it is correct to say so.
The Hemudu Site in Yuyao was discovered in 1973. Archaeologi-
cal findings from the site indicate that the Yangtze River, like the
Yellow River, was a cradle of the Chinese civilization. One of the findings at Hemudu was cultivation of rice crop. The conclusion
was disputed at first, but now it is agreed that China was the worlds first rice grower. Hemudu holds more wonders for scholars. In Sep-tember 2004, a paper was presented to 8th International Tea Culture Forum held in Yaan, Sichuan Province and it was published in the proceedings of the forum. The paper mentioned that the Hemudu Museum has the remains of a primitive tea.
Scholars and government departments concerned in Yuyao de-cided to find more about the tea unearthed at Hemudu. In 2008, the association launched a research project to explore and decide whether Yuyao was the first tea grower of China. Tea historians of national renown were invited twice to visit Siming Mountain, which is located near Hemudu. The destination of their visits was Waterfall Stream Hill, mentioned twice in Book of Tea written in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In November 2008, a symposium was held in Yuyao to look at the results of field studies and theoretical understanding. They decided that the remains of the primitive tea unearthed at Hemudu met the criteria for identifying what tea is and they concluded that Yuyao was a source of primitive tea. The sym-posium published a manifest called Yuyao Consensus.
In 2008, something else that happened in Yuyao became a defini-tive evidence to help conclude that Yuyao was indeed the cradle of green tea in China. An archaeological site at Tianluo Mountain, which is near Hemudu Site, was unearthed in 2004 by a team of Zhejiang Relics Bureau and Archaeology Center of Beijing Uni-versity. Six professors from Kanazawa University and Northeast University of Japan participated in research work. The result was published in 2008. The Chinese and Japanese experts agreed that the archaeological findings at a 6,000-year-old site indicated the re-mains were those of tea trees, that the tea trees had been cultivated, and that the discovery was significant for exploring the origin of tea in China. Moreover, scientific tests proved that the remains were
indeed those of ancient tea trees. The newest archaeological report excited the tea experts and gov-
ernment officials who had played a part in Yuyao Consensus. They
rushed to Tianluo Mountain to take a look.
In April 2009, a stone stale with a long inscription was estab-lished at the ancient Waterfall Ridge where the ancient Heavenly Waterfall Tea was produced.
With all the textual and archaeological results, Yuyao Association for Promoting Tea Culture decided to write a book and establish Yuyaos unique status as the very origin of place of green tea in the history of Chinese civilization.
The writing began in February 2010. An editorial panel of local talents met 13 times. They formulated a guideline for contents and style and discussed manuscripts. Thousands of photographs were pooled for the final selection of the best for the book. Ye Peifang, a retired city leader, raised the funds for the book project and chaired the editorial panel. Liu Feng, honorary president of China Interna-tional Tea Culture Research Institute and chairman of Cultural Dia-logue, inscribed the book title. In October 2011, the book was put on the market.
Zhejiang Library and Ningbo Library have copies of this book in collection. Tianyige Library, one of Chinas oldest existing libraries, also has it in collection. Numerous copies have been sold. □