Now that we’ve discussed the physical aspects of tea and how it’s made, I’d like to turn our attention to the human aspect of tea. Although (as alluded to in my first post) there are countless different customs surrounding tea in different parts of the world, I’d like to focus on the Korean tea ceremony, which is an integral part of my own culture.
The first time I experienced a full, traditional Korean tea ceremony was during a visit to a Buddhist temple high in the jagged mountains of the Korean countryside many years ago. After an achingly long car ride on winding, unpaved roads, my family and I crawled out of our car into a secluded oasis of serene gardens, gently gurgling fountains, and a majestic temple. The monk prepared a tea ceremony to greet my family, and as I sipped the delicate, earthy tea while listening to the calm sounds of the mountain, I felt (however cheesy this may sound) my frustrations (i.e. being car sick and hungry for 3 hours in 90 degree weather) slowly fade away. This is what captivates me about the Korean tea ceremony– it’s imbued with a sense of serenity, zen, and tranquility that is hard to find in our modern, fast-paced world.
Several factors meld together to build this all-encompassing experience. First and foremost is the tea ceremony itself. Here’s a fairly good example of what a traditional ceremony would be like (with good descriptions):
If you felt almost a bit frustrated while watching (or if you didn’t finish watching out of impatience), don’t worry, tons of other people probably did as well. While today’s culture is incredibly fast-paced and complex, the Korean tea ceremony centers around meditative movements that are extremely slow, controlled, and deliberate. Great tea masters in ancient Korea would practice for years to develop the extreme focus necessary to perfect the graceful, fluid movements characteristic of this tradition. These movements, although incredibly controlled, are meant to be fluid, delicate, and effortlessly beautiful.
Although the ceremony may seem very rigid, it’s actually meant to be freeing, relaxing, and naturally coherent so that the atmosphere is open, calm, and peaceful (instead of stressful, structured, and formal). The architectural and natural setting in which tea ceremonies are usually held add to this sense of openness and serenity. Traditional Korean houses (known as hanoks) are typically very intertwined with the natural setting. Open form planning combined with several large doors and windows that allow for air circulation and views of surrounding forests/gardens emphasize how connected we are with the natural world around us, and promote meditation. This connection to nature is also apparent in the water traditionally used to make tea– the water is generally the best quality local water available. The most renowned Korean teahouses even had their own springs in order to ensure natural purity.
Thus you can see, the entire tea ceremony focuses on much more than simply drinking tea– it is a performance art that exudes zen peace, reverence to the tea and guests, simple gratitude, and peacefulness. Tea is continually steeped, served, and sipped (and sometimes tea time can last for several hours). It is customary to drink a single cup of tea in three small sips in order to spend adequate time thoughtfully savoring the taste and moment. As guests enjoy the tranquil tradition, they are meant to revel in the luxuriousness of time, calmly feeling it seep away as slowly and gently as the tea leaves infuse the water.
Works Cited
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/%EC%A6%9D%EC%8B%AC%EC%82%AC_%EB%8C%80%EC%9B%85%EC%A0%84_2.JPG
http://66.media.tumblr.com/5f4b7d3d67178a35d22a9a896422e673/tumblr_mwqhn1udAa1so56aao2_1280.png
http://www.antiquealive.com/Blogs/images/lifestyle/hanok/Hanok-Korean-traditional-house.jpg
avo5227 says
I love how you prefaced your blog post with a personal anecdote about you and your families own experience with the Korean tea ceremony. It created imagery, allowing us readers to catch a glimpse into what the ceremony is like. I love the fact that you attached a video depicting an authentic tea ceremony. Although within my culture, there aren’t traditions that require that level of precision, I appreciate all the time and accuracy that is put into this ceremony. Although you said that some may find this process frustrating, I can see how relaxing it can be. I think the focused and deliberate process of the ceremony, paired with the stunning natural setting, along with delicious and soothing tea would make even the most stress person feel relaxed!