Peach Trees along Jarman’s Gap Road, Albemarle County, Virginia. April 2021

I had a good reception at the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival this month- thanks for your support. Here is a story from Tao Yuanming, one of the Chinese Fields and Gardens poets from the Third Century CE.

.桃花源 The Peach Blossom Spring

One thousand years ago, a man from Wuling, who was a fisherman by trade, was traveling along the edge of a creek, and lost his way.

He suddenly chanced upon a peach blossom forest, and keeping by the shore he moved a hundred paces. Inside there were no other trees, and the fragrant grasses were fresh and beautiful; the fallen leaves were a mix of colors, and the fisherman found it strange. He continued onwards, wanting to find the end of this forest. At the end of the forest and the creek, he reached a mountain. There was a small opening in the mountain, and it seemed like there was light, so he abandoned his boat and went in.

At first it was extremely narrow, and could only just allow a person to pass. After several dozen more paces, it suddenly opened up. The ground was flat and vast, and there were neatly arranged residences. There was fertile land, beautiful pools, mulberry trees and bamboo, and roads and paths for travel; chickens and dogs could be heard.

Within were people planting seeds, men and women were clothed in strange ways. They had yellow hair in long tufts, and seemed joyful and happy. They saw the fisherman, and were shocked, asking where he had come from; he told them it all.

They invited him to their homes, brought out wine, and made a feast. Once it was heard in the village that a visitor had arrived, everybody came to ask him questions. They said: “Former generations fled the chaos in the time of Qin, bringing their wives, children and villagers to this impasse; we have never left. And so we have been separated from outsiders.”

The other people invited him to their homes, and all brought out wine and food. He stayed for several days, then made his goodbyes and left. The people there said: “There is no use in telling others.” Thereupon he left, got his boat, and returned back out onto the way, marking it down at every point.

Upon reaching the county seat, he went to see the governor, and explained his story; the governor then sent people to follow his trail, searching for the signs he had left; they were fascinated but could not find the way.

Liu Ziji of Nanyang was a noble scholar who heard of this, and joyously set out for it, but with no result; he died of illness during his search.

After that, there were none who inquired about it.

Author: Tao Yuanming (365-427)  Translator: Táohuā Yuán