tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30002710361765506542024-03-12T18:37:15.849-07:00Tea Tour KoreaArthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-5293005305062400512015-08-20T20:19:00.001-07:002015-08-22T19:20:37.872-07:00Preparing Tea - A Korean Way<style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I begin this post with a little apprehension knowing that this will be long
explanation for what is for many a very simple and natural act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading this then for some readers may be a little like reading the directions for tying ones
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That is why I'm including the video.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is better shown than discussed. My video example comes from a tea master. Tea masters are wonderful and important tea culture icons that are known for ceremony. But this demonstration is more an example of a thoughtful organized procedure than 'ceremony. They believe the process of preparing tea a Korean way, any Korean way, should be very natural and unpretentious. T</span>hat naturalness also includes tea ceremonies - at least Korean ones. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Since I am not a tea master, I undertake this post with the
exact opposite feeling from that which should be present when preparing tea a Korean
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A Korean</span> tea preparation should/must be done
with calm and ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This description is
being written with neither. Simply because I know that I don't know enough. So in hopes of strengthening my own tea preparation skills, and perhaps yours as well, I persist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">A little background on this post may be interesting, if not that important. Sadly, Tea Tour Korea 2015 did not have enough participants to
form a group*. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, we were not able
to stay in Korea to experience the full range of Korean teas. Even so, we discovered that 2015 was an extraordinary year for Korean tea since we were able to try a number of early picks from different producers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a word, delicious! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We were also able to enjoy some wonderful tea experiences that grew out of the Korean Ceramic Tour we did host.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> One of these experiences came as a result of extending the ceramic tour </span>for a small group to the province of Jollanamdo</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">. Jollanamdo, or Jeonnam as it is also called, is rich in both pottery and
tea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years, we have developed a
number of close friends who live and work in Gangjin, Haenam, Mokpo, Boseong and other areas
of this historically rich province. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">When our basic Korean Ceramic Tour 2015 ended, a few of us extended the tour and boarded an express bus to Gangjin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On arrival, our friend the potter Kang Kwang Mugg drove us by private
car to Mokpo. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mokpo was having their
annual ceramic fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fair and visit
in Jollanamdo resulted in a series of great experiences. We’ll share some of them
in future posts but possibly on other blogs.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Our 2015 tour group was composed primarily of International ceramic
artists who had just visited a number of ceramic artists throughout Korea, most
of the Korean artists either specialized in or, in addition to their regular work, made tea
ware. It is my experience that most international ceramic also make some tea ware. But few know how to prepare tea the Korean way, so I
had asked my Korean friends if it were possible to have one of the tea masters
we were visiting at the fair to show our group how to prepare and serve tea the Korean way. I wasn’t asking
for a full ceremony but simply some of the basic steps for preparing Korean
tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I want to thank Ju Hae-Seong from the Korean Tea Culture Association for
graciously providing this presentation. We met Master Ju through Master Jang Eun-Hui the wife of the internationally acclaimed celadon artist Jong Ki Bong. All are from Haenam. It is Jong Ki Bong's teaware she is using for this demonstration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3UN2X0Ppr8/VcGP-WHvHRI/AAAAAAAABCc/2YBlF06b8F0/s1600/A%2BScreen%2BShot%2B2015-08-04%2Bat%2B11.40.00%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3UN2X0Ppr8/VcGP-WHvHRI/AAAAAAAABCc/2YBlF06b8F0/s640/A%2BScreen%2BShot%2B2015-08-04%2Bat%2B11.40.00%2BPM.png" width="635" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Although this presentation is by a Tea Master, and therefore
can't escape a few of the formalities of a tea ceremony such a standing and
bowing and then kneeling and bowing again, that are simply polite greetings,
this presentation is <b>not</b> a tea ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The presentation does exactly what I had hoped it would do, show us a Korean way to prepare tea. Note that this is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one</b>
of the natural and really simple ways Koreans prepare tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who are interested in learning a way to
prepare tea as Koreans do can gain a great deal from studying this video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully my notes, although cumbersome, will
also be of some help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note the title is "<u>A</u> Korean Way" not "<u>The</u> Korean Way”. There are many individual variations on the process you see here. However the basic elements will be similar. In this case the tea is nokcha or green tea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHcjvh2npCc/VcGQp4ZqcMI/AAAAAAAABCk/2ZD777_07_U/s1600/B%2BScreen%2BShot%2B2015-08-04%2Bat%2B11.38.41%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHcjvh2npCc/VcGQp4ZqcMI/AAAAAAAABCk/2ZD777_07_U/s640/B%2BScreen%2BShot%2B2015-08-04%2Bat%2B11.38.41%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Since some items in the above image are <b>NOT</b> necessary for simply preparing tea, I
should point them out to reduce any confusion you may have. In this image, those items <b>NOT</b> necessary include the small vase, often a
bottle form, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sitting on the far left on a natural stone stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the same wooden tea table is a leafing vine or branch,
two sets of jeotgarak</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> or chopsticks with duck jeotgarak holders on mats and a covered dish for tea
ceremony treats or tea desserts (perhaps <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tteok (</span><span style="font-family: AppleMyungjo; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">떡</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)
or rice cakes)</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that these are all on a naturally formed
wooden tea table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stone stand for
the small vase, the vine or leafy branch and naturally formed wooden tea table
all point to the underlying theme of Korean tea including the tea ceremony – it
must be natural. Again these items are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOT</b>
part of the simple serving of tea that this post and video intend to
illustrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So set them aside in your
mind for now and concentrate on those that to varying degrees</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> are</span> necessary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Let's look at the tea ware she <b>will be</b> using. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is rather formal tea ware set. Again, it was made by the famous celadon artist Jong Ki Bong, the items include from
left to right: (our view)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">1.</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">A
source for hot water. In this case a thermos since electricity is not available
and wood or gas would be impractical in this outdoor festival setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">2. Behind
it on the right of the server (our left) is a waste water bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In less formal settings a bucket hidden from
view might be used.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">On the slightly higher table in front of her are:</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>A
stack of ceramic saucers, also to her right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes wooden or cloth cup stands are used or none at all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Behind
the saucers (her view) is a cooling teapot. Note this teapot was made without a
lid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often a small pitcher or
historically a cooling bowl would be used.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 26.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 1.0pt 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -26.2pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Slightly
to the left of the saucers (her view) and closer to the server is a simple white cloth.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Next,
directly in front of the server, is the infusing teapot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Behind
the infusing teapot (server's view) is the teapot lid stand. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 26.15pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 1.0pt 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -26.2pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Behind
the teapot lid stand (server's view) is a small tea caddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More informal tea servings might simply have
the bag of loose leaf tea or a box with the bag of tea in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This tea
caddy is a ceremonial tea caddy and not one for storing tea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">To
the right (our view) are 5 cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Typically a Korea tea set has 3 or 5 cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Notice there are not 4 cups. There are at least three reasons for avoiding the number 4.
The first reason is that the sound for the number 4 is the same as the sound
for the word for “death” in Chinese and those languages that have similar roots
like Korean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often hotels in Korea and China use the letter
F instead of the number 4 for the fourth floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it could be bad luck to use 4 cups. The
second reason, and for me the more interesting one, comes from Buddhism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were to serve tea to a single guest
you would use 3 cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were
serving tea to three guests you would use 5 cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, you would have a cup for each of
your guests and a cup for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
remaining cup is for Buddha. The third reason is that if you are serving tea
you often have 2 or 4 guests and the remaining cup is for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you talk with tea connoisseurs you will
likely get one or more of these answers for why Korean tea sets have either 3
or 5 cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Lets watch the video:</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z8PTWb6rbss/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z8PTWb6rbss?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The video in summary:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Hot
water is poured into the ‘cooling teapot’. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The
lid of the infusing teapot is removed and placed on the teapot lid stand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3. </span></span>Hot
water is poured from the cooling teapot into the infusing teapot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The
lid is replaced onto the infusing teapot and hot water from the infusing teapot
is poured into each of the cups until the hot water fills about ¾ of the cup.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This process is heating of the “cooling pot”, teapot and teacups is
a very important step in preparing Korean tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The continuing flow of the tea’s preparation was interrupted when a
Korean watching the process suggested that someone should explain in English what was
happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Hot
water for the tea is poured into the cooling teapot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>As
that water cools to the proper temperature, the server removes the lid from the
infusing teapot and places it on the teapot lid stand. For nokcha or green tea,
this water temperature is usually between 60C-70C or 140F-158F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often round 158F to 160F but my preference
is 158F.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Then
she took the tea caddy that contains the loose leaf tea into her hand, removed
the lid and with a teaspoon placed two scoops of tea into the infusion teapot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She replaced the lid on the tea caddy and
returned it to its spot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Now
she takes the cooling teapot containing the hot water and pours it into the
infusing teapot. Returns the cooling teapot and places the lid on the infusing
teapot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9. </span></span>Grasping
the white cloth in her hand she methodically empties the hot water from each of
the now heated teacups into the waste water bowl. She wiped the drip of water
from each cup in turn. The emptying of the water from each cup in turn provides
infusion time for the tea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A tea master knows precisely the amount of tea in relation
to the size of the teapot and how long the tea should be infused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case the teapot is relatively large,
the amount of loose-leaf tea is not great for the size of the teapot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My guess is there are about 3g possibly 4g of
tea in the infusing teapot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The length
of time it took to empty the five cups was approximately 1 min.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is proper for this larger teapot with
that amount of water and that amount of tealeaves for nokcha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice I didn’t say it was “correct” or
“exactly right”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The infusion of tea is
an art not a science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relationship
between this particular tea, the amount of tealeaves to volume of water, water
temperature and infusion time are subjective and developed according to the
taste and experience of the one preparing and serving the tea. Some guidelines
for infusing tea are appropriate such as don’t use boiling water for green
teas, keep the temperature for green teas lower than oxidized teas etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But many factors are at play including of course the selection of water itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can I tell you precisely how to brew the perfect cup of generic
green tea on a blog post? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
simply too many variables. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now the tea is
infused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tea preparer begins to pour
tea from the infusing teapot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice
that about 1/3 of the tea for each cup is poured into each cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is repeated three times to insure that
the contents of each participants cup is the same. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have seen the use of a cooling vessel, infusing teapot and cups. Each was heated with hot water that was discarded. For me the warming of these items is essential for good tea. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my mind, whatever part you think of as ceremony or ritual is simply the efficient use of time in preparing this tea properly. Tea masters consider this the Everyday Tea Ceremony. In any case, the timing of this presentation was such as to efficiently cool the water for nokcha and brew the tea using organized efficient steps. This is the way I brew tea for guests but I am not a tea master, just a potter that enjoys a well brewed cup of tea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The great Korean Buddhist tea master Cho Ui once said simply, "Make tea and drink it." When preparing tea a Korean way, keep these things in mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are forming a group now for Tea Tour Korea 2016 <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">contact</a> us to learn more and to reserve your spot.</span></span></div>
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Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-55556751834349102522015-01-16T19:54:00.002-08:002015-02-16T21:13:20.505-08:00A Visit With Park Jeom Ja: Artisan Tea Producer and Tea Master<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Have you seen <a href="http://teatourkorea.blogspot.com/2015/01/tea-tour-korea-may-2015-price-at-very.html" target="_blank">Tea Tour Korea 2015</a>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the years of traveling through Korea by ourselves or with tours, we have met and become friends with many artisan tea producers and artists. Sometimes they truly surprise us by planning adventures for us that we could not have planned on our own. It is these types of experiences that make our tours personal and unique. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tea Tour Korea 2014 was no exception and it brought a number of interesting and often surprising events planned within the tour by friends. Park Jeom Ja, an artisan tea producer and tea master living in Gangjin is one of those friends and each time we visit her we are in for a surprise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In 2011 she met us at an all female temple where we shares tea served by the Abbot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In 2013 she invited us to a serene setting and carefully explained her green tea, hwangcha and ttokcha. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year I simply asked her to allow us to us taste her teas. This is what happened.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XNpxCyyPaE/U4_qSle5vEI/AAAAAAAAA0M/laJCG5siGGo/s1600/IMG_0587+2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XNpxCyyPaE/U4_qSle5vEI/AAAAAAAAA0M/laJCG5siGGo/s1600/IMG_0587+2a.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Park Jeom Ja</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had a very long day with ceramic workshops and were delayed in arriving to meet Park Jeom Ja thinking of course we were meeting only her. But no; we had no idea that she had invited the entire Chollanamdo Myung Won Cultural Foundation from as far away as Gwangju to the East and Mokpo to the West spanning the entire Provence to meet us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who knew that she was the current president of this group famous for promoting the Korean tea ceremony? <br />We met in the mist of the O’Sulloc Tea fields near beautiful Mount Wolchulsan in Gangjin. The bushes are covered, preparing the next pick for powdered tea. This powdered tea will not be used for matcha but rather for cosmetics and other green tea products produced by O’Sulloc’s parent company AmorePacific. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The Chollanamdo Mung Won Cultural Foundation Greets Us</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next, we drove to the countryside near Gangjin, where we attended briefly a small local and quiet tea event with a chef who spoke excellent English and had worked as a chef in France as well as other countries. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They hosts explained that they had planned a much larger event but plans were altered after the ferry tragedy that took place very near to where we were. (As a quick and ironic side note of that tragedy, the captain of that ferry was found hiding on a Boseong tea plantation trying to avoid prosecution - but not a plantation that we visited.) <br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On leaving the tea event, we passed a very interesting outhouse.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then we walked 100 yards or so to a courtyard where a group was making ttokcha by hand. It was a true community affair and quite an experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mary and I and our guide MiNa had made ttokcha ourselves on a previous tea tour so it was great to see it being made by the community in this way. <br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_sNsUxOvh8/U5CQLC-TlgI/AAAAAAAAA1g/L2CIFz7fS74/s1600/IMG_0603+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_sNsUxOvh8/U5CQLC-TlgI/AAAAAAAAA1g/L2CIFz7fS74/s1600/IMG_0603+2.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, we were invited to a local gallery that was exhibiting some pretty significant Chollanamdo teaware. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two of our guests bought full sets. The quality was so high I found myself wondering if a 9 day Chollanamdo only tea experience could gather enough quests. Certainly it would be an exciting adventure and there are plenty of exceptional tea, famous tea temples with wild tea, tea history, tea artisans and teaware artists to make such a tour a memorable one - even without visiting O’Sulloc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />One of the highlights of the exhibit was the serving of tea by a couple of . . . salt enthusiasts. Those who were on the tour will understand this statement and might embellish that thought in the comments below. All in all these combined experiences, provided by the artisan tea producer and tea master Park Jeom Ja, were indeed memorable and I can’t thank her enough. Unfortunately, she provided so many other memorable tea experiences that the one experience I had hoped for - having the group taste her tea - never happened.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will we taste her delicious teas on Tea Tour 2015? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is not too late to join us. <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">Contact us</a> now. </span></span></div>
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Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-40607595905356078192015-01-12T22:30:00.000-08:002015-08-20T15:37:22.556-07:00Tea Tour Korea 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdzRr2tKG0I/VLS25ZER3PI/AAAAAAAAA30/iZaT3AVMlkQ/s1600/hadong%2Btea%2Bwild%2B%26%2Bsemi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdzRr2tKG0I/VLS25ZER3PI/AAAAAAAAA30/iZaT3AVMlkQ/s1600/hadong%2Btea%2Bwild%2B%26%2Bsemi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly this tour was cancelled
due to lack of participants. Although our tours are exceptional and truly
unique they are not advertised broadly - essentially only on our posts and by word of mouth. Please <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">contact</a> me to be on the list for Tea Tour Korea to take place in May 2016. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The above image illustrates both wild and semi-wild tea growing side by side on the mountain slopes of Jerisan the 'holy mountain' of Korean tea. These tea bushes are descendants of tea seeds from China planted in 828 CE. But were these the first teas to be planted in Korea?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year's tea tour is a very exciting one. In addition to being a fascinating adventure into Korean tea and tea ware, its history and practice, Tea Tour Korean 2015 may finally solve a Korean tea mystery. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Korean tea is both humble and captivating. Korea is home of some of the best green teas in the world and wonderful balhyochas that are receiving rave reviews. At the same time Korean tea ware artists are extraordinary. They create tea ware that truly serve. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our tour record is strong, we have hosted a number of very knowledgeable tea connoisseurs from several countries on previous tours - some more than once. That our tours exist at all is a testament to the quality of our tours. Nearly all participants learn of our tours from those who have been with us on previous tours. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because of truly unprecedented changes in their schedules, Tea Tour Korea 2015 will visit not one (1) but three (3) amazing festivals.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> What are the three festivals? We will visit the International Mungyeong Teabowl Festival, experience the exciting and greatly anticipated Hadong Tea Festival in the heart of Jerisan the ‘holy mountain’ for Korean tea and attend Korea’s internationally renowned World Ceramic Exposition GOCEF. </span></span>As on all our tea tours participants will enjoy personal meetings with some of the best artisan tea producers and tea ware artists in Korea. This year in particular will be a truly exciting adventure. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will you be one of the 6-9 participants? If so, you will be visiting with some of the most important artisan tea producers in four (Jejudo would make it five) of Korea's most important tea producing regions. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In past tea tours, because of unusual weather conditions, we arrived in Korea a little too early, unfortunately interrupting their most important early picking and processing. This year we will arrive a little later in the ‘pick’ which means more of their first picks will be available and you will have early choice of a broader range of their finest teas. The balhyochas should also be available. Their delicious and unusual ttokchas may </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">still </span></span>be in production. They will still be picking and processing their teas, and you will pick and process your own. Will it be at a famous tea temple or with a highly respected artisan tea producer?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beautiful Korean tea ceremony will be presented to you by one of Korea's most renown tea masters. You will discuss Korea's tea history with Brother Anthony co-author of both <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics</i> - perhaps the two most important books on Korean tea. (Bring your copies and have them signed). In addition, David Mason another authority on Korean tea and many other aspects of Korean culture may join us. He was one of the first to introduce Korean tea to the Western world and knows Korean Buddhism like few others.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LxxJiSMWpg/VLcfOhOZBPI/AAAAAAAAA5A/rkuwt5dVvIw/s1600/IMG_0823X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LxxJiSMWpg/VLcfOhOZBPI/AAAAAAAAA5A/rkuwt5dVvIw/s1600/IMG_0823X.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Yi Ho Yeong, Artisan Tea Producer</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Among the tea ware artists we will visit are 3 Human Intangible Cultural Treasures and some of the more interesting and important tea ware masters in Korea. The tea artisans include<a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2013/11/yi-ho-young-brother-anthonys-tea-friend.html" target="_blank"> Yi Ho Yeong</a> who is featured in the book <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> by Brother Anthony and Hong Kyeong Hee. You will also visit ‘Halmone Hwangcha’ or ‘Grandmother Hwangcha’, <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2012/11/is-this-best-hwangcha-made-in-korea.html" target="_blank">Jeong Jae Yeun</a>, who epitomizes the Korean Tea Grandmothers who for generations have made wonderful teas. Jeong Jae Yeun's delicious balhyocha was discovered by monks who told one of our friends . . . and a tea legend began.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Park Jong Il, Teaware Artist </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Among the teaware artists we will visit is Chan Han Bong, one of the 'grandfathers' of Korean teaware. He recently opened a museum on Korean teaware. We will visit the studio of <a href="http://parkjongil.blogspot.com/2014/01/park-jong-il-natures-teaware-master.html" target="_blank">Park Jong Il</a> the very spiritual teaware artist who built his home and studio of raw clay and trees he cut in the mountains - thus continuing this ancient potter's tradition. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This tea tour will also visit Gimhae, and attempt to uncover a unique Korean tea mystery. Gimhae is famous in Korea for their Janguncha. Last year the question was, "Is Janguncha a real tea or one of Korea's many 'flower' teas? Ans: It is definitely a camellia sinensis tea. This year the tea mystery is, "Is Janguncha really made from Assamica tea leaves growing in Korea?" There are those Korean authorities who deny this claim. Think of the ramifications if it is Assamica tea! If so, are these tea leaves from bushes originating in India? If so, did the first of these bushes come over in 48CE with an Indian princess who married the first Gaya King? </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Think of the ramifications of that! Did camellia sinensis tea arrive in Korea hundreds of years before tea arrived in Japan?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is truly a unique Korean tea tour. Consider this: Tea Tour Korea 2015 will visit not one but three amazing festivals, have personal meetings with some of best artisan tea producers and teaware artists in Korea, experience the Korean tea ceremony hosted by one of Korea’s masters, you will pick and produce your own tea plus possibly solve a Korean tea mystery. It will be an exciting adventure. Will you be one of the 6-9 participants? If so, you will be visiting with some of the most important artisan tea producers in four (perhaps 5) of Korea's most important tea producing regions and will also be visiting with some of the most interesting and important teaware artists and tea masters in Korea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The Korean Tea Ceremony</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is always difficult to know exactly when to hold our tea tour. One year large numbers of tea bushes had been damages due to the harsh winter. Another year the weather was very mild and they picked early. We have also hosted Tea Tour Korea a little too early, unfortunately interrupting their most important early picking and processing. This year, as stated earlier, our timing should be perfect. Although the first picks will be complete, you will witness the picking and processing of their teas, as well as pick and process your own tea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brother Anthony - An Sonjae</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beautiful Korean tea ceremony will be presented to you by one of Korea's most renown tea masters. You will discuss Korea's tea history with Brother Anthony co-author of both <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics</i> - perhaps the two most important books on Korean tea. (Bring your copies and have them signed). Among the teaware artists we will visit are 3 Human Intangible Cultural Treasures and some of the more interesting and important teaware masters in Korea. The tea artisans include <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2013/11/yi-ho-young-brother-anthonys-tea-friend.html" target="_blank">Yi Ho Yeong</a> who is featured in the book <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> by Brother Anthony and Hong Kyeong Hee. You will also visit ‘Halmone Hwangcha’ or ‘Grandmother Hwangcha’ </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2012/11/is-this-best-hwangcha-made-in-korea.html" target="_blank">Jeong Jae Yeun</a></span></span>, who epitomizes all the Korean Tea Grandmothers who for generations have made wonderful teas. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jeong Jae Yeun </span></span>was discovered by monks who told one of our friends . . . and a tea legend began. <br />After visiting Gangjin/Haenam where we will be immersed in both their tea history and tea we travel to Boseong considered the most beautiful area for Korean teas then to Jerisan the holy mountain for Korean teas and will visit Gimhae, to attempt to solve a Korean tea mystery. Gimhae is famous in Korea for their Janguncha. The mystery to us in the West? Is Janguncha Assamica tea? If so did it originate in India? If so did it really come over in 48CE with an Indian princess who married the first Gaya King? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is truly a unique Korean tea tour and possibly the last tea tour we will host.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The price is based on very low or no profit and will depend on the actual number of participants. Normally we take 4-8 participants. The itinerary is available for serious inquiries. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Included in the price of our tours are our own bus with a knowledgeable English speaking guide/translator, good to outstanding accommodations, most meals and all entry fees. Air to Korea is not included as guests arrive from several continents. The content of our tours is unique. We have established a personal relationships with artists and artisan tea producers throughout Korea. Thank you for your understanding and patience.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please <a href="mailto:morningearth@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">contact</a><a href="mailto:morningearth@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank"> us</a> to be placed on our list to receive information.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will not be hosting any tour in 2016 but will continue to plan <a href="http://koreanceramictours.blogspot.com/2014/12/amazing-korean-tours-going-beyond.html" target="_blank">various types</a> of tours to Korea. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This may be your last opportunity to travel with us but we will continue our work. Watch for the revision of our Morning Earth Korea website coming very soon. Please consider liking us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MorningCraneTea?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a>?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Respectfully,<br />Arthur K. J. Park<br />Morning Crane Tea</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See Below </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQlW2CH38HY/VLS9A-LDyLI/AAAAAAAAA4E/M-49E0ZEcVY/s1600/Boseong%2Bslider%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQlW2CH38HY/VLS9A-LDyLI/AAAAAAAAA4E/M-49E0ZEcVY/s1600/Boseong%2Bslider%2B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Some of the famous cultivated tea bushes found in Boseong.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tentative Dates Tea Tour Korea 2015</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May 2015 </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">0.</span> 5. T </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Arrive In Korea</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This is now a 14 day tour </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is open for 6-9 possibly 10 guests. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guests will have input into some of the events. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">14.</span> </span>19. F <b>Leave for Home</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are still tentative dates. </span></span></span></span>A more complete schedule and price will be provided those interested. <a href="mailto:morningearth@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">Contact</a> us.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I no longer post full itineraries as on two occasions others have used my itinerary and tried to duplicate my tours. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-24551452860917539162013-10-09T22:46:00.002-07:002015-01-17T12:30:21.345-08:00Tea Tour Korea 2014: Join Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6geGmt2aN0/UwkNfyIsCMI/AAAAAAAAAzA/lpFnO6O2530/s1600/IMG_4787+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6geGmt2aN0/UwkNfyIsCMI/AAAAAAAAAzA/lpFnO6O2530/s1600/IMG_4787+a.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It took 15 pickers 4 hours to pick this bamboo dew tea. Ha Gu Artisan Tea Producer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Tea Tour Korea May 9-25, 2014 Price at No-Profit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Tea
Tour 2011 seemed to open the floodgates of Tea to us in Korea. We
returned to Korea August 2011 on a ceramics/tea tour and were introduced to and met new Tea
people. With two different tours in 2012 and our
Tea Tour 2013. We now have contacts with many additional teaware artists, artisan tea
producers and important tea masters. They include a tea master who
mentor-wise is the direct descendant of Cho-Ui. Another Tea master has a
remarkable collection of more than 20,000 ancient tea ware items and
understands Chinese tea like no other person in Korea. He was our
teacher when we made tea with him on the 2013 tea tour - a remarkable
experience. Artisan tea producers are beginning to contact us. It is
wonderful how much Tea Tour Korea 2011 and 2013 have stirred Korean Tea for us.
(pun intended, bad as it is). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Brother
Anthony has agreed to join us again and David Mason, another authority
on Korea and Korea’s tea culture may also speak to our group. Our
private group talk with the tea producer Ha Ilnam about various aspects
of Korean tea was exciting, informative and insightful. He has promised to do that again.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty1otNDgsQE/UwkN7BScaII/AAAAAAAAAzI/Ui078KDSBfA/s1600/IMG_4854+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty1otNDgsQE/UwkN7BScaII/AAAAAAAAAzI/Ui078KDSBfA/s1600/IMG_4854+a.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kim</span> </span>Jong Gyun and Ha Il Nam of Dong Cheon Tea with Hong Kyeong-Hee and Brother Anthony of Taize co-authors of <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Although
we had wonderful tea experiences in 2011 and 2013 we have decided to
expand the Tea section of the tour for 2014. We now have so many more
Tea options it is difficult to decide who we should visit. Nor will be neglect tea ware which still lies at he heart of what we do. That area is also expanded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">If
you are a novice or a connoisseur of tea or even if you have little or
no knowledge of tea, Tea Tour Korea 2014 will be an exciting
introduction to both Korean Tea and Korean tea ware and a great
introduction to the beautiful country of Korea for anyone even if they have never tasted Korean tea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">We will stay
longer in Hwagae Valley and meet more artisan tea producers. But in 2014 we will also look at tea in Gimhae, Janghung, Gangjin and Haenam in addition to Jerisan (Hadong) and Boseong.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCIcZw0uYX0/UwkQwErsD6I/AAAAAAAAAzU/HjmgHN-4vy4/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCIcZw0uYX0/UwkQwErsD6I/AAAAAAAAAzU/HjmgHN-4vy4/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh Sung Teak A great teapot master from Mungyeong.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">We
understand, you want to know, "What are the specific dates?" and "What
is the price?" In 2014 we will travel a little later than 2013 or
2011. Our tour begins May 9-25 with the arrival date May 8. We begin our tour by meeting with Brother Anthony, co-author of <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> the morning of May 9th. That is followed by personal introductions to some of the finest and most interesting teaware artists and tea producers in Korea. We will go to out of the way places and behind the scenes to meet some of the best Korea has to offer. The price will be reasonable for a very small group
tour. As an example 33% of the 2011 group and 77% of the 2013 group
decided to pay the extra single room charge. This tour is at cost and non-profit. Morning
Crane Tea will help with the tour's price making it as inexpensive as
we can. But be aware that small group tours are not cheap. As examples
the basic land price for double occupancy for Tea Tour 2011 was $3200.
Tea Tour 2013's basic land price for 8 participants was $3450 for 15 days. Every year the price increases by between 10%-15%. This tour is slightly more if we have 8 participants as it is 17days. Single occupancy is
$500. We are trying to get 8 - 10 participants for this tour. The price should be compared with a 17 day tour that costs
$400 - $450 per day and has 16-20 guests. Our group will be half that size. You are of course responsible for air from your location. Once you have committed, You will receive instructions on how to get to the hotel and much more information. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">A highly respected Korean travel professor called our tours "... probably the most culturally rich tours planned for Korea." He went on to say that anyone, even if they didn't know tea or ceramics, would enjoy our tours. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">This tour will truly be a historic journey into the heart of
Korean Tea and Korean Tea Ware. It could also be the last tea tour that we
personally host. <b></b></span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><b>Additional information:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">1. The tour will be a small with only 6-10 tour members. We want to be able to sit as a group with each </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">tea ware artist, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">tea
artisan, tea master or venerable tea monk so that we can truly savoir
those experiences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">2. We had the tour set but lost two members due to a family matter. We are trying to replace them. Are you up for a great tea and teaware adventure? I'm sorry for the short notice if you are viewing this for the first time. We must know by the end of Feb. 2014.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">3. Spring is one of the most beautiful times to be in Korea and it truly is Tea time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">4.
Note: We will not guide a Tea Tour Korea in 2015. That year we turn
our attention to Korean ceramics. If you are more interested in
ceramics, <a href="mailto:morningearthkorea@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact</a> us regarding the possibility of that tour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">5. Join this blog</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> to see if we post more as Tea Tour Korea 2014 develops or simply more on Korean tea. Please do it now. Incidentally have you ordered your Korean </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">tea</span> from <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">us</a> yet? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">6. <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Visit </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Morning Crane Tea blog </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">to
learn more about both Korean tea and Korean tea ware. Have you seen our new Facebook page (see below)?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">7. To learn more about Korean </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://teaatmorningcranetea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">tea</span></a>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">visit our tea website: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">8. <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">Contact me </a><a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">now</a> to learn more and reserve your spot on the historic Korean tea and Korean tea ware tour – Tea Tour Korea 2014.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Respectfully,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Arthur K. J. Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Morning Crane Tea</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Check our tea and ceramic related web:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Facebook</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MorningCraneTea?ref=hl" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Community</span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Tea <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Information</a> </span><br />
<a href="http://teaatmorningcranetea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Tea</span></a><br />
<a href="http://morningcraneteaware.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Tea Ware</span></a><br />
<a href="http://koreanonggi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Onggi</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Korean <a href="http://koreanceramictours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ceramic</a> Tours</span></div>
Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-54305056640755011302013-02-28T22:28:00.000-08:002013-04-10T22:13:14.832-07:00Tea Tour Korea 2013 Update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is hard to describe in words how excited we are about Tea Tour Korea 2013. <span style="font-size: large;">If you are on this tour<span style="font-size: large;">, you will not only be visiting</span></span> with some of the most important artisan tea producers in three of Korea's most important tea producing regions but also will be visiting with some of the most interesting and important teaware artists and tea masters in Korea. <span style="font-size: large;">Y</span>ou will witness the prestigious <a href="http://www.sabal21.com/2011/eng/main/main.asp" target="_blank">Mungyeong Teabowl Festival</a> and the exciting and spiritual <a href="http://www.llf.or.kr/eng/" target="_blank">Lotus La</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.llf.or.kr/eng/" target="_blank">ntern Festival</a>. You will be in Korea du<span style="font-size: large;">ring the 'pick'<span style="font-size: large;"> so you will have the first choice of the freshest teas. You will experience the beautiful Korean tea ceremon<span style="font-size: large;">y presented by one of Korea'<span style="font-size: large;">s most renown tea masters, discuss Korea's tea history with <a href="http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/kortea.htm" target="_blank">Brother Anthony</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">co-author of both<i> The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics</i> - the two most important books on Korean tea. (Bring your copies and have them signed). Among the teaware artists we will vis<span style="font-size: large;">it are 3 Human Intangible Cultural <span style="font-size: large;">Treasures. The tea artisans include artisans who often makes tea with <span style="font-size: large;">Ho<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">g Kyeong Hee the other </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">co-author of <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics</i>. (Steven <span style="font-size: large;">Owyoung is the third co-author of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Korean Tea Classics</i>.</span><span style="font-size: large;">) One of the tea masters we hope to meet is Park Dong Chun the only 'direct descendent' to Cho Ui's way of making nokcha. It is an unusual processing method we are hoping to witness. In other words you will be meeting artists, artisans and tea historians who are among the most respected in their fields in Korea. This is truly a unique Korean tea tour. </span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Following is</span> the <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>2013</b> <b>Tentative Iti</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>nerary</b>:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>April 2</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>8</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> The group will meet at our hotel. The hotel information and time will be sent to tour participants.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">After meeting together, Br<span style="font-size: large;">other Anthony will discuss with the group the history of Korean tea and begin to lay<span style="font-size: large;"> the foundation for our journey. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brother Anthony is co-author of both<i> The Korean Way of Tea</i> and <i>Korean Tea Classics</i>, the two most important books in English on Korean tea.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Following brother Anthony's discussion, we <span style="font-size: large;">will visit the <span style="font-size: large;"> Panyaro Institute for the Korean Way of Tea and meet with the Director the renowned tea master Chae Won-hwa. Chae Won-hwa is arguably the most respected tea master in Korea. Will we experience ‘Chaseon’ - Seon (Zen) Tea?</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This experience is like being a living part of the history of Korean tea itself. We are honored and humbled that both Brother Anthony and the great tea master </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chae Won-hwa have agreed to meet with us.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>April 29:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The group will<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>visit selected teashops and galleries in Insadong to become acquainted with Korean tea and teaware before we board the bus<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>to <span style="font-size: large;">travel to the Yeoju/Icheon areas</span> to visit some wonderful teaware masters. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are not in tea country yet, so we begin our adventure with teaware.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">April 30:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Starting the day early, we will visit with several wonderful teaware masters and the world ceramic galleries in Icheon and Yeoju. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 01:</b></span> We will visit the Mungyeong Teabowl Festival.</span></span> This may be the most interesting Teabowl Festival in the world. T<span style="font-size: large;">wo days is hardly enough to experience these teaware artists, visit with artisan tea producers and absorb all that this festival has to offer.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 02:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">We continue your </span>visit to the Mungyeong Teabowl Festival and experience<span style="font-size: large;"> some planned private meetings with select <span style="font-size: large;">teaware masters</span></span>. In the late afternoon you will travel to Daegu where we will experience <span style="font-size: large;">a wonderful tea ceremony conducted by </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="ko"><span class="hps">선생</span></span> Oh Young Hwan one of Korea's premier tea masters.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 03:</b></span> The early morning will find us at the Seokguram Grotto. Many travelers call this their 'favorite place in Korea' for the spiritual power eman<span style="font-size: large;">ating from this amazing grotto<span style="font-size: large;">. Then we visit Bulguksa, also a UNESCO World Heritage temple and companion temple to S<span style="font-size: large;">eokguram. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearby is the home and studio of ICA (Intangible Cultural Asset) Park Byung Teak known for his Silla Dynasty style work. His tea ware is very exciting. The Day ends with a visit to the national Museum of Gyeongj<span style="font-size: large;">u. It was during the Silla Dynasty that tea was introduced to Korea.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We a<span style="font-size: large;">re <span style="font-size: large;">in 'Budd<span style="font-size: large;">ha Land' and Buddhism lies at the heart of Tea<span style="font-size: large;">. It has been said that 'Tea and Zen are one<span style="font-size: large;">' (<a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2009/12/zen-of-tea.html" target="_blank">Post</a>).</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 04</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> I</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">n the early morning you will visit <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2010/01/tea-ware-artists-tea-gallery.html" target="_blank">Park Jong Il</a> tea ware master (and artisan tea producer<span style="font-size: large;">). This is at Park Jong Il's studio high in the mountains above Gyeongju. <span style="font-size: large;">This is an important stop since he will be j<span style="font-size: large;">oining us for our trip to</span> Jirisan the 'holy mountain' of Korean tea and will act as an extra guide <span style="font-size: large;">during our tea experiences in Jirisan.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the afternoon we travel to Sancheon our entrance to Jerisan the holy mountain for Korean teas. There we will meet with Min Young Ki. <a href="http://dawan-chawan-chassabal.blogspot.com/2011/11/autumnal-chawan.html" target="_blank">Min Young Ki</a> is one of Korea's most prestigious teabowl artists. One of Japan's most prestigious te<span style="font-size: large;">abowl <a href="http://minteabowls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">connoiss</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://minteabowls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">eurs</a> said of Min's work, "I personally have never seen a tea bowl <span style="font-size: large;">that ex</span>ceeds the quality of Mr. Min's.."</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Befor<span style="font-size: large;">e</span> we leave Sancheon <span style="font-size: large;">we will meet <a href="http://teaatmorningcranetea.blogspot.com/2012/11/jeong-jae-yeuns-hwangcha-new-to-morning.html" target="_blank">Jeong Jae Yeun</a> the artisan tea producer who makes <span style="font-size: large;">our delicious Hwangcha. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 05:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Here is where the tea part of the tour gets interesting. By very special arrangement, in the early morning we move to the humble tea compound of Kim Sung Tae not far away. There we will pick leaves and process them in both the Korean and Chinese ways for green tea and make hwangcha and ttok-cha as well. Kim Sung Tae is a premiere tea master’s teacher and has many followers who study with him both in Seoul and also in Busan. Several tea artists also study with him. He is probably Korea’s leading authority on Chinese teas as well. I know that he is planning a museum to house his collection of more than 25,000 tea ware pieces that date from ancient times to the present. That is just part of his vast ceramic collection. We will be with <a href="http://dawan-chawan-chassabal.blogspot.com/2010/05/han-dynasty-tea-bowl.html" target="_blank">Kim Sung Tae</a> and his student, the tea ware artist and tea master, Park Jong Il, our tea guide, May 5 and part of May 6. Park Jong Il will remain with us until May 7.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 06</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">After finishing our self-made teas, we travel to Hwagae Valley the home of many artisan tea producers. Having just processed tea leaves ourselves, I am sure we will appreciate the work they do even more. We will be meeting with some of the best artisan producers in Hwagae Valley. It is also the home of the Dong Cheon Tea company a very special tea cooperative that regularly produces some of the best teas produced in Korea. Morning Crane Tea is proud to be their international representative. Tea masters have told us we made the best choice. We will visit this excellent company, but this day is mostly about artisan tea producers and a tea temple or two. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 07</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> We continue to visit tea producers and the Hadong Tea Museum. Later in the afternoon we move to the Bosong area on our way to Gangjin. We hope to visit an artisan tea producer and perhaps the Bosong Tea Museum on our way to the Gangjin area.<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 08</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> The Bosong <span style="font-size: large;">/ Gangjin areas have many tea artisans and teaware artists. Gangjin is also the home of the most important celadon produced in Korea. It <span style="font-size: large;">was also the historic home of the great Korean tea master <a href="http://teatourkorea.com/Ven_Cho-ui.html" target="_blank">Cho Ui</a> (Korea's Sen Rikyu) so <span style="font-size: large;">our stay in the Gangjin area will <span style="font-size: large;">be filled with the history of tea, exceptional tea artisans as well as<span style="font-size: large;"> some amazing</span> teaware. In addition to our visit to the historic Gangjin Celadon Complex, we hope to meet the teabowl master Myeong Jae Hyun, <span style="font-size: large;">the celadon master Jung Ki Bong, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the female celadon master </span><span style="font-size: large;">Kim Yu-sung and visit the new ceramic center now associated with Morning Crane Tea. Both Jung Ki Bong and Kim Yu-sung have won the prestegious Grand Prize at the Gangjin Celadon Festival in competition with all celadon artists throughout Korea. There you may even try your hand at forming a teabowl on a traditional Korean kick wheel. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 09</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">:</span> You can't leave Korea without experiencing onggi and its production. <a href="http://koreanonggi.com/Lee_Hak_Soo.html" target="_blank">Lee Hak Soo</a>, a cultural treasure, is also one of only a few onggi masters who make teaware. In Bosong we will visit tea artisans and the most famous tea fields in Ko<span style="font-size: large;">rea. Shou<span style="font-size: large;">ld</span> we hope to visit the O<span style="font-size: large;">'Sulloc tea plant before we leave Gangjin?</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 10</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> We leave Gangin early in the morning. <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>eginning with visiting a teaware master or artisan tea producer and travel on to Damyang, Korea's best known bamboo area, to explore their museum and to find bamboo tea implements. Watch this post to learn more about who we will be visiting in the morning. We have several very interesting options we want to explore. That evening we arrive in Seoul.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 1</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>1:</b></span> Th<span style="font-size: large;">is day is dedicated to visiting some select tea and teaware shops as a gro<span style="font-size: large;">up </span>in the morning and free time for you to explore the <a href="http://somewheretours.com/Lotus_Lantern.html" target="_blank">Lotus Lantern Festival</a> in the afternoon and their breatht<span style="font-size: large;">aking</span> parade in the evening. <span style="font-size: large;">It is a rare treat to be in Korea during this spectacular festival. F<span style="font-size: large;">or the first time i<span style="font-size: large;">n many years it is on a Saturday.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">May 12<span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Within walking distance of our hotel</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> are beautiful and historic palaces, <span style="font-size: large;">a great Ko<span style="font-size: large;">rean Folk Museum and many galleries<span style="font-size: large;"> and shops of many kinds. This is a day to explore these under our guidance, our suggestions or a<span style="font-size: large;">lone. <span style="font-size: large;">We may top the tour off with a<span style="font-size: large;">n evening of Korean Music and Dance. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span 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Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>May 13</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>:</b></span> This day is simply a day to say farewell or continue your journey. We have nothing formally scheduled.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We at Morning Crane Tea are looking forward to a great adventure <span style="font-size: large;">with you into the heart of both Korean tea and Korean teaware. When you </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">are involved in one of our tours (<span style="font-size: large;">designed by Morning Earth Korea)</span>, you <span style="font-size: large;">will <span style="font-size: large;">have experiences that truly touch the heart of Korean arts and culture. This year is very unusual and fortunate because<span style="font-size: large;"> you will experience both the Mungyeong Teabowl Fe<span style="font-size: large;">st<span style="font-size: large;">ival and the Lotus Lantern Festival<span style="font-size: large;">. Since the Lotus Lantern Festival dates are determined by the lunar calendar<span style="font-size: large;">, it is rare that <span style="font-size: large;">we can offer this exceptional festival combination</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For <span style="font-size: large;">those of you not <span style="font-size: large;">joining us, please join us here on this site as we continue to discuss our tour before, during and after <span style="font-size: large;">what promises to be a great tea adventure.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please also <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">contact</a> us if you would like to try some the special Dong Cheon Teas we offer or the artisan teas we hope to bring back. Is there an interest in pre-purchasing some artisan teas or registering to be on a possible Tea Tour Korea in 2014? There is no obligation to register <span style="font-size: large;">if you are among the first <span style="font-size: large;">8 it simply reserves your spot until you decide.</span></span> <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">Let us know</a><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> aArthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-20341219914439316402012-10-24T07:48:00.000-07:002012-10-24T07:48:34.581-07:00A Quick Note: Tea Tour Korea is Coming- May 2013 <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the first of a series of posts leading to Tea
Tour Korea 2013. It will also be
one of the last tea tours we personally host so we want to make this
tea tour as culturally rich as possible. To that end, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tea Tour Korea 2013 will be a 'complete' tea tour with exceptional perhaps unparalleled tea and teaware experiences. It will include: 1. Visits to selected Korean artisan tea producers, 2. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Visits to selected </span><span style="font-size: large;">Korean </span><span style="font-size: large;">teaware artists, 3. The History of Korean Tea, 4. Meeting Important figures in the contemporary Korean Tea world, 5. Participating in Korean Tea Ceremonies, 6. Witnessing tea being produced, 7. Producing our own teas and 8. Investigating artists who make Tea related items </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tea Tour Korea 2013 will be a non-profit tour hosted by us at Morning Crane Tea and Morning Earth Korea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone can take you to Korea and introduce you to some people who make tea by hand and some ceramic artists who make teaware. We have been told that no one else can give you the depth of a Korean tea experiences Tea Tour Korea will provide. We will select from hundreds of possible choices the best tea producers, the best teaware artists, introduce you to some of the most significant figures in contemporary Korean Tea, take you into tea factories and have artisan tea producers teach you how to make various teas. It is not just nokcha anymore. You will meet personally with tea artisans who make jakseol, hwangcha, balhyocha, hongcha and ttokcha (possibly even matcha). In addition, you can't leave Korea without experiencing some of their herbal teas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will we have a temple stay? Yes! Will we visit Jejudo? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yes!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Will we go to historic sites? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yes! Will we visit teashops in Seoul? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yes!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Will we visit onggi potters? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yes! This list would in itself be a great tour to Korea but with the exception of Jejudo, they are add-ons to Tea Tour Korea 2013.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are waiting for the date of the Mungyeong Teabowl Festival to be announced to confirm our Tea Tour Korea 2013 dates. That festival may be the most exciting teabowl festival in Asia. Tea Tour Korea 2013 will be open to no more than 8 guests and we have some waiting on that list now - including some who were with us in 2011. Why would they return? They have told us Tea Tour Korea 2011 was the most comprehensive tea tour they have ever experienced and while some of our visits will be the same, Tea Tour Korea 2013 will expand on the 2011 tour and will be even more comprehensive. Have you read <a href="http://www.teatourkorea.blogspot.com/2011/07/madeleines-tea-tour-korea-2011-post.html" target="_blank">Madeleine's post</a>? Are you interested in joining us or learning more? <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">Contact us.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you looking for illustrations? Please wait for the follow up posts. </span></div>
Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-44986125507203407092011-07-08T19:30:00.000-07:002013-03-23T19:20:25.613-07:00Madeleine's Tea Tour Korea 2011 Post<style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Madeleine, an international business woman who enjoys both tea and tea ware, was one of our guests on Tea Tour Korea 2011. She sent us a wonderful email and has granted permission to share it with you as a post. The illustrations and footnotes are ours.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Dear Arthur and Mary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I am finally home after some rushing about here in the region, and I am finally setting down to write you both a much-deserved note of thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I have "The Book of Korean Tea", "The Way of Korean Tea", "Korean Tea Classics", all proudly displayed on my table and lately my friends have been looking through them and simply saying "wow".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> That is the best way to describe the trip - an eye opening experience into a world so close to me physically, but where thanks to you both, the veil of mystery has been lifted and one enchantment after another revealed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> From the moment we got on our magical mystery tour bus and walked through the Spring air and historic gates of the fort at the Mungyeong Tea Bowl festival, to the rushing waterfalls<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">1</span></span></div>
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Mountain Stream near Hwaeomsa</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">and temple bells in the Jiri Mountains, the peace of</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hwaeomsa</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> temple and drumbeats echoing through the valleys<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">2</span><span style="color: black;">,</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vs2mwpLyVk/ThVIZNul3vI/AAAAAAAAAfw/kV3hY3TbZvU/s1600/Drum+beats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vs2mwpLyVk/ThVIZNul3vI/AAAAAAAAAfw/kV3hY3TbZvU/s400/Drum+beats2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: small;">3:30 AM Drumming Hwaeomsa</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">the tea fields in Hwagae Valley </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">and rushing river by the mountain side, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;"> 3</span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kELBNIBptdk/ThcbgarB2iI/AAAAAAAAAgI/qfitRqKD8Ps/s1600/Tea+Bushes+Hwagae+Valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kELBNIBptdk/ThcbgarB2iI/AAAAAAAAAgI/qfitRqKD8Ps/s400/Tea+Bushes+Hwagae+Valley.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wild Tea in Hwaegae Valley</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VG7rao7EO-g/Thhf2v466hI/AAAAAAAAAgc/L8oUYIbbgxE/s1600/Wild+Tea+Bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VG7rao7EO-g/Thhf2v466hI/AAAAAAAAAgc/L8oUYIbbgxE/s400/Wild+Tea+Bushes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nixh1eIXSyQ/ThhebHV1xpI/AAAAAAAAAgY/kVpP_Riskas/s1600/Wild+Tea+Bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><u><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="font-size: small;">A section of </span></span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="font-size: small;">the above photo (click to enlarge)</span></span></u></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> the soft contours of the sea and mountains as we neared Gangjin, the elegant tea ceremony at the Myung Won Cultural Foundation, the detailed archeology museums that opened up centuries of Korean culture - the trip was a multi-layered exploration of archeology, culture, religion, geography, history all brought together through a tea leaf steeped into a beautiful bowl of magnificent simplicity and energy.<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">4</span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnlvNBtp21E/ThVIrJH8o0I/AAAAAAAAAf0/_gBDv2ie3Z4/s1600/Simple+Tea+bowl+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnlvNBtp21E/ThVIrJH8o0I/AAAAAAAAAf0/_gBDv2ie3Z4/s400/Simple+Tea+bowl+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Simple Tea</span> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Each day was filled with these experiences brought to life through individual contact and exchange with master ceramic experts who all offered us tea in stunning natural settings.<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">5</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpCnJiEnO7Y/Theu6NkWxUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/-PLz9jiuYHg/s1600/Oh+Sung+Teak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpCnJiEnO7Y/Theu6NkWxUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/-PLz9jiuYHg/s400/Oh+Sung+Teak.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">T<span style="font-size: small;">he Mungyeong Artist Oh Sung Teak serves us tea</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will not forget the enchanted gardens, mountain top vistas sitting on warmed floors, walks though camellia forests</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL4kGWsY2Zo/ThrigZR8deI/AAAAAAAAAgg/c9AQwGEjV3U/s1600/red+camellias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL4kGWsY2Zo/ThrigZR8deI/AAAAAAAAAgg/c9AQwGEjV3U/s320/red+camellias.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Red camellias bloom at the tea temple Baekryunsa near Gangjin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">and tea served by Buddhist monks<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">6</span> and gracious nuns. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XatCxungMUw/ThchZS1tSvI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ETpxuJzLFzY/s1600/Duk+jae+Gu+Chung+Am+Hwaeomsa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XatCxungMUw/ThchZS1tSvI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ETpxuJzLFzY/s400/Duk+jae+Gu+Chung+Am+Hwaeomsa+1.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: small;">Tea monk Duk Jae, at Gu Chung Am, Hwaeomsa 2&6</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Most of all, the open, warm and generous hospitality of lunch and dinner where small dish after dish flourished bringing regional delights and tastes amid friendship and laughter with our kind and laughing hosts.<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">7</span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGbcgRFhTO4/ThVJOW6_2ZI/AAAAAAAAAf4/yC4VzUVnxEg/s1600/Table+setting+Korea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGbcgRFhTO4/ThVJOW6_2ZI/AAAAAAAAAf4/yC4VzUVnxEg/s400/Table+setting+Korea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A Korean Lunch</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> The generosity and lack of artifice of highly accomplished ceramic and tea masters is a memory that I will carry for a long time to come - in each and every encounter, we were welcomed to handle treasures, patiently provided with answers to endless numbers of questions about tea preparation, hosted to wonderful and spontaneous tea and then always, provided with a beautiful gift. Whether this was green tea, blossom tea from a tea master or an individual teacup from a ceramic master's studio, each item is treasured and savored with delight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> It is a testimony to your generosity and friendship with each master that we were received with such kindness.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sduu7mdMpAk/ThVJipkQ2KI/AAAAAAAAAf8/HEIEAlGPWlE/s1600/Brother+Anthony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sduu7mdMpAk/ThVJipkQ2KI/AAAAAAAAAf8/HEIEAlGPWlE/s400/Brother+Anthony.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: black; color: #d9d2e9; font-size: small;">Brother Anthony - An Sonjae</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> My special thanks also to Brother Anthony,<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">8</span> who opened the gates of the temple to us and bid us farewell in Seoul over lotus blossom tea served in a large jet black bowl with floating pristine lotus flower.<span style="background-color: black; color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">9</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lotus Blossom Tea at the tea shop Tea Friend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> And finally, my sincere thanks to my travel companions, delightful multicultural group of tea experts consisting of Classic scholars, philosopher/attorney, intrepid world explorer and organic gardener, tea host with quirky sense of humor, attorney turned potter and video expert <span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-small;">10</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d260xJUfeco/ThVJvneZDTI/AAAAAAAAAgA/eUwPXRAV6lg/s1600/Group+with+Min+Young+Ki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d260xJUfeco/ThVJvneZDTI/AAAAAAAAAgA/eUwPXRAV6lg/s400/Group+with+Min+Young+Ki.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">T<span style="color: #d9d2e9;">ea Tour Korea 2011 group with Min Young Ki</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Exquisite, gracious, warm, as well as filled with laughter. These words and sound sum up the trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> With very best regards and looking forward to keeping in touch on a regular basis,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Madeleine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Footnotes: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">1. These rushing waterfalls are at Hwaeomsa. We will post on the Mungyeong Tea Bowl Festival later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">2. Tea Tour Korea 2011 stayed at </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Hwaeomsa where we picked wild 'bamboo dew' tea under the guidance of the monk Duk Jae (5) who heads the Gu Chung Am at Hwaeomsa. While there each morning we woke to witness the drum beating before early morning chanting at the temple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">3. If you look closely you will see hundreds of wild tea bushes scattered across this steep hillside and going into the bamboo forest above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">4. I illustrated Simple tea with a bowl made by the international ceramic artist Min Young Ki.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5. The tea ware artist Oh Sung Teak serves us tea at the Mungyeng Teabowl Festival. The setting of the festival is one of the most beautiful settings in Korea.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tea monk Duk Jae serves us wonderful hwangcha</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> - yellow tea at his hermitage </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gu Chung Am above Hwaeomsa. We picked and processed 'bamboo dew tea' at Gu Chung Am.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">7. The dishes for this restaurant were designed by the international artist Jeon Seong-Keun best known for his incredible porcelain carving</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">8. Here Brother Anthony sits by the mountain stream near </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Hwaeomsa. I believe it is one of his favorite spots in the world, It is certainly one of ours. The first photo is taken from the same area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">9. Tea Friend is a wonderful small tea shop near but not in Insadong. The owner, Bo Hyun Sim, has</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> many types of tea including a stunning variety of 'herbal' teas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">10. The Tea Tour Korea 2011 group is seen here with the tea bowl artist Min Young Ki, his wife and son Min Bum Sik who is also a fine tea ware artist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">11. We are accepting registration for Tea Tour Korea 2012. There will be no Tea Tour 2013 but possibly another in 2014. We are looking for 6-10 participants total and have 4 or 6 interested currently. If you have an interest in joining us on Tea Tour Korea 2012 it is obviously not too early to register. Contact us through this blog link. </span></div>
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Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-53384943582606857252011-05-31T12:15:00.000-07:002011-06-16T08:00:57.230-07:00Tea Tour Korea 2011: The State of Tea Bushes in Korea<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5BYgjLlw6w/TeUxOdAVz-I/AAAAAAAAAfU/qWG_yGjF9A8/s1600/IMG_4882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5BYgjLlw6w/TeUxOdAVz-I/AAAAAAAAAfU/qWG_yGjF9A8/s1600/IMG_4882.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Damaged bushes in Hwagae Valley</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Tea Tour Korea</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> was in planning for more than two years. For several years before that we thought about proposing such a tour. We have many friends and acquaintances that are Korean tea ware artists, have a great interest in Korean tea and have explored Korea’s tea areas - some areas quite often. But even though I am a passionate consumer of Korean teas, knew some Korean tea producers and have studied Korean tea extensively, our true expertise is in the area of ceramics and tea ware. I make tea ware not tea. That is why in developing this tour we asked the advice and help of several experts on Korean teas to assist us in making this tea journey a special one. I’ll return to these tea experts in subsequent posts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Normally I would have begun posting about <i>Tea Tour Korea 2011</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> at the beginning of the tour and followed it chronologically. But Korea had a terrible winter and their tea bushes suffered terribly. Have you ever been asked, “What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?” If I were to be asked that question I would pick the ‘bad news’ to be heard first just to get it out of the way. So lets begin there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Concern about the state of the tea bushes began when several of our Korean friends, on more than one occasion, told us that they were experiencing an extremely cold winter. As spring and the tea tour were getting closer we received an email from Brother Anthony confirming that the winter was truly a harsh one and would have an effect on the tea bushes. No one knew when tea might be ready for picking. Tea would definitely be picked later than usual this year. How much later, no one knew.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In at least two ways, <i>Tea Tour Korea 2011 </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">began as a great leap of faith, faith that there would be tea to pick and faith that we could even form a tour group. We were not able to form a viable tea tour group in 2010 so we traveled with our friend Park Jong Il through this beautiful country simply to get a better sense of the area. This year, our guests were slowly but steadily joining the tour and giving us early hope that a tour would form. Then, for various reasons, some guests suddenly dropped out. Most were fortunately replaced so once again the tour was on and off and on again several times. In some ways I understand the reluctance to join a tour such as this. After all, who are these people who want to take you on a tea tour? There are so many scams out there. Can you trust them? What do they really know about tea or tea ware or even Korea? To the courageous guests on our final international group we owe a great deal of gratitude for simply joining this tour. It really was a leap of faith for these guests. Better yet we could not have hand picked a finer group to travel with. So if you were one of those guests, thank you again for your trust. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Once on the tour, what would these guests experience – especially if there was no tea! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">After beginning <i>Tea Tour Korea 2011</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> by taking the group to experience some great tea ware, to which we will return in other posts, our small group of dedicated tea connoisseurs began the tea portion of our travels near Hadong in Hwagae Valley. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hwagae Valley is the most important area in the ‘holy mountain’ of Korean tea - Jirisan. Our first view of Jirisan mountain looked promising even welcoming but I was shocked at what we found. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83YaUWep64k/TeUs05294oI/AAAAAAAAAfE/_K6x7b0Y5-Y/s1600/Weeds+thrive+between+damages+tea+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83YaUWep64k/TeUs05294oI/AAAAAAAAAfE/_K6x7b0Y5-Y/s1600/Weeds+thrive+between+damages+tea+7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Weeds Survive Between Dead Tea Bushes</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sure, we know South Korea is a little north of the best growing zones for tea. But I have heard that tea areas of China were also hit hard by the weather this year. In Hwagae Valley we found thousands of dead bushes. Some areas lost field after field. When we stopped at The Okro-nokcha (Jade Dew Green Tea) Company, the oldest tea producer in Hwagae Valley, we were told that they lost nearly 80% of their bushes. Oh Young Soon, a new tea friend and teashop owner in Insadong, who produces some wonderful Hwagae Valley hand picked and hand processed wild juk-no-cha </span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; font-size: 14pt;">竹露茶</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> “bamboo dew” teas </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">, said that nearly every one of her bushes were damaged. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4s_udS1WTc/TeUuf3eFJ0I/AAAAAAAAAfI/xxliIWy6tRQ/s1600/Tea+Tour+examining+Dong+Cheon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4s_udS1WTc/TeUuf3eFJ0I/AAAAAAAAAfI/xxliIWy6tRQ/s1600/Tea+Tour+examining+Dong+Cheon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Members of Our Tea our View Dong Cheon Bushes w Br. Anthony</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Dong Cheon Tea's bushes faired a little better but some fields were also destroyed.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2nAXX0zD84/TeUvTF1VdII/AAAAAAAAAfM/IDBeTUJhgww/s1600/The+dividing+line+of+damaged+bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2nAXX0zD84/TeUvTF1VdII/AAAAAAAAAfM/IDBeTUJhgww/s1600/The+dividing+line+of+damaged+bushes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Still at Dong Cheon a Line is Drawn Between Good and Dead Bushes</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">By contrast, Ha Gu of Yosandang, a tea master who also produces superb wild juk-no-cha </span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; font-size: 14pt;">竹露茶</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> “bamboo dew” Korean teas, was only slightly affected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni55gj6ychk/TeUzDbgltcI/AAAAAAAAAfc/s2TEednWBAE/s1600/Ha+Gu%2527s+tea+bushes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni55gj6ychk/TeUzDbgltcI/AAAAAAAAAfc/s2TEednWBAE/s1600/Ha+Gu%2527s+tea+bushes+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Some of Ha Gu's Wild Tea Bushes</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As was Jeon Ju Hyeon of the Yejeoncha Teashop whose Ujeon was very light and smooth. Gwan-hyang Dawan a producer of extraordinary tea who is highlighted in the book <i>The Korean Way of Tea </i>also escaped great loss. We will report on these stops in more depth later. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4EtLrEo9Lw/TeUziuQD5gI/AAAAAAAAAfg/OvbtHQ63q8k/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4EtLrEo9Lw/TeUziuQD5gI/AAAAAAAAAfg/OvbtHQ63q8k/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gwan-hyang Dawon Was Processing Tea Over a Wood Fire</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To be honest I wanted to take photos of the lost bushes but as we drove up Hwagae Valley most of the bushes where we could find a place to stop were fine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBGFAW8VA0w/TeU0GqLM-CI/AAAAAAAAAfk/VXzVoUZ1RU4/s1600/Tea+bushes+surviving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBGFAW8VA0w/TeU0GqLM-CI/AAAAAAAAAfk/VXzVoUZ1RU4/s1600/Tea+bushes+surviving.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Overall in Hwagae Valley the cold winter was devastating yes but a catastrophic disaster no. Never the less, the winter of 2011 will go down in history as a very bad winters for Korean tea. Several artisan tea producers said it was their worst winter ever. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Later in Bosong we also found considerable loss. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNg4M1WPYZA/TeU0Tn5E0GI/AAAAAAAAAfo/V0hwjmMwJx0/s1600/Bosong+Tea+bush+comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNg4M1WPYZA/TeU0Tn5E0GI/AAAAAAAAAfo/V0hwjmMwJx0/s1600/Bosong+Tea+bush+comparison.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Two Images Taken of the Same Bosong Tea Area 2006 and 2011</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These two di’s above compare images at one of my favorite tea spots. The bottom image taken a few years ago and the top image taken this spring show the damage there. A total loss in that area. Ironically the bottom photo was in my ads for the tea tour. But all was not lost in Bosong. Some bushes yes but in the distance, if you look closely, pickers are still busy picking and new bushes will eventually replace those that were lost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KefUgAQUE-w/TeU4kFCFb3I/AAAAAAAAAfs/OPDmZBlT8FU/s1600/Bosong+picking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KefUgAQUE-w/TeU4kFCFb3I/AAAAAAAAAfs/OPDmZBlT8FU/s1600/Bosong+picking.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Bosong Pickers in The Distance Provide Hope for Korean Tea</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As for what we found at the Gu-Chung-am Hermitage at Hwaeom-sa, stay tuned. This is just an introductory report on the effect of the cold weather on the tea bushes in Korea. There is much more to come as we present a series of posts on <i>Tea Tour Korea 2011</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Added June 14, 2011: I have to end this report on a good note. Dong Cheong Tea, perhaps the largest organic tea company in Hwagae Valley, just told me by phone that in spite of their losses the prices for their teas this year will be the same as last year. Thank you Mr. Ha! Let's buy some Dong Cheong tea. Incidentally, <a href="http://www.morningcranetea.blogspot.com/">Morning Crane Tea</a> sells Dong Cheong tea to retailers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">[1] Juk-no-cha </span><span style="font-family: "ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; font-size: 11pt;">竹露茶</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> “bamboo dew” tea is true wild tea growing in the mountains among the bamboo. The plants are typically shaded and watered gently by drippings from the bamboo. It is tea of the highest quality.</span></div>Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-84046828905985286752011-01-28T22:37:00.000-08:002011-04-21T22:41:19.264-07:00Tea Tour Korea Itinerary May 5-20, 2011<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Tea Tour Korea seeks to introduce our guests to a Korea steeped in the traditions of Tea and Tea Ware and at the same time touch on the importance of the master traditions of several other aspects of Korean arts and culture through personal introductions to some of Korean Intangible Cultural Assets from other fields. The logistics in developing this journey have been complex and will continue, but the bones are here and as we get closer to the tour they will be fleshed out to reveal what we hope will be an exceptional journey into the heart of Korean culture through Tea and ceramics. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This post reveals the structure of the tour. Each week, I hope to add a little more to the story and expand on the brief commentary you will find below. We hope that you will join us on this very special adventure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What to do and where to go will follow by personal email to each guest once the Tea Tour participants have made definite commitments. It is time to make those commitments so email us soon. This is a non-profit tour the final price will depend on the final number of guests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #8e7cc3; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Tea Tour Korea Tentative Itinerary.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 05</span> Leave for Korea (Depending on your time zone)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Most of you will be crossing the IDL (International Dateline Line). If you are in that group, you leave on May 5, 2011 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">F <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 06</span> Seoul (provide your own meals)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Guests will arrive at the Seoul/Incheon Airport (ICN). We will attempt to arrange meeting groups to gather at the airport and travel to the Hotel together. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">S <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 07</span>: Move to Mungyeong </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This is a “6, 7, 8, 9 day”. This means you rise at 6 AM, have breakfast at 7 AM, meet with Brother Anthony at 8 AM then board the bus at 9 AM for Mungyeong </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">At 8 AM Brother Anthony AnSonjae will present a discussion on Korean Green tea. <a href="http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/kortea.htm">Brother Anthony of Taize</a> is co-author of <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> and a translator of <i>Korean Tea Classics. </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We are honored that he will be joining us.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Move to Mungyeong. Spend the afternoon at the Mungyeong Tea Bowl Festival. Some of the best tea ware artists in Korea live in Mungyeong including the only National ICA in Choson style ceramic ware - Kim Jong Ok.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">S <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 08</span> : Mungyeong </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This is a 6,7 8 day. Rise at 6, breakfast at 7 depart for Mungyeong at 8. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spend the day and evening visiting the studios of selected Mungyeong artists. This is the last day of the festival so there may be a ‘mixture’ between these two days in Mungyeong.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">M <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 09</span> : Icheon/Yeoju </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This is another 6,7 8 day. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> We go to Yeoju and Icheon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Icheon and Yeoju WOCEF Museums, visit important ceramic artists</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">including the Hae Gang Celadon Museum a tribute to the famous celadon artist Haegang (Yoo Kun-hyung). </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Some of the most important and most interesting ceramic artists live in these cities we will visit a few of them and other outstanding artists. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 10</span> : Gyeongju (Buddha’s Birthday)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Gyeongju is one of the most important historic cities of Korea. It was the capitol of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD) and as such is important to both Tea (tea was first planted in Korea during this period) and tea ware (the ceramics from this period is historically significant and in my opinion stunning. We have several interesting events planned for this stop. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">W <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 11</span> : Gyeongju – Gimhae – Jinju </span></div><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Early morning visit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2QCD-95fGQ&feature=related">Seokkur-am</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulguksa">Bulgoksa</a> move to <a href="http://www.koreanonggi.com/Ulsan_Movie.html">Ulsan onggi village</a> Visit Gimhae National Museum. Move to Sancheong. We are now in tea country where wild tea flourishes in the mountains.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 12</span> : Sancheong - Hadong (B/D)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Visit Min Young Ki internationally renowned tea ware artist considered by some Japanese tea ware connoisseurs as "the best in Asia". We then Move to Hadong visiting the tea area along the way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">F <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 13</span> : Hadong – Hadong-Hwaeomsa Temple </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Brother Anthony and Hong Kyeong-hee join tour. Visit Private tea producers near Hadong, visit tea museum; drive to Hwagye valley. View tea-fields. Visit Ssanggye-sa temple. Arrive at Hwaeom-sa Temple, our Tea Temple Over night at Hwaemsa-Temple stay or nearby Motel</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">S <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 14</span> : Hwaemsa Temple </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The morning chanting in the temple begins at about 3:30AM after the ringing of the bell etc. Attendance is optional though encouraged (unique experience!). Morning spent picking tea Afternoon spent drying and rolling freshly picked leaves. Over night at Hwaemsa-Temple stay. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">S <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 15</span> : Hwaemsa Temple – Boseong – Gangjin </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Starts as yesterday. Receive completely dried, packed tea in the morning. Drive to Boseong. Visit Lee Hak Soo onggi (ICA) potter and Bosong Tea Plantation. Drive to Gangjin; visit the home of Dasan and Baekryeon-sa Temple. Visit Ven Yo Yeon. Visit the great celadon tea ware artist Jung Ki-bong.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">M <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 16</span> : Gangjin </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Visit Gangjin Celadon Museum. Drive to Daeheung-sa temple. Tour temple. Visit Tea ware artists </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 17</span> : Gangjin – Chungwon-Seoul </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Move to Chung Won-gun visit ceramic artist Lee Kang Hyo and Lee Tae Ho move to Seoul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">W <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 18</span> : Seoul </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Move to Bucheon Intangible Cultural Assets site, meet Ha Il Nam Evening Tea </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Over night at Sunbee Hotel</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 19</span> : Seoul </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Free day in Seoul. Evening Chongdong Theater, Traditional Korean Music and Dance</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">F <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">May 20</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leave for Home</span></div>Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-14961629228284998792011-01-07T14:54:00.000-08:002011-01-07T14:54:28.436-08:00Waiting for the Price and a Firm Itinerary<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TSeVVb0SFwI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_bHLYPeyQSE/s1600/Sunrise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TSeVVb0SFwI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_bHLYPeyQSE/s400/Sunrise2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Sunrise</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I am sure you are wondering why we haven’t posted the itinerary, precise dates or exact price of this tea tour.<span> </span>To get you started, tentatively, the dates are May 5 – 20, 2011 and the price will be approximately $200 per day.<span> </span>We always try to keep our prices under $200 per day. The price will depend on how many are traveling with us. This price should be compared to tours that cost $350 per day because we stay at very good comfortable hotels and travel with our own private bus.<span> </span>But this doesn’t explain the delay.<span> </span>Essentially, I have made proposals to some government agencies in an attempt to secure small grants to subsidize part of your tour.<span> </span>I have been waiting for responses to these proposals.<span> </span>So the price could be a little lower. The essence of the tour can be found on our welcome post. Click <a href="http://teatourkorea.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-tea-tour-korea.html">here</a> to go there.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TSeWaw4HBcI/AAAAAAAAAes/Ux3o1KzL_fU/s1600/King+Sejong+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TSeWaw4HBcI/AAAAAAAAAes/Ux3o1KzL_fU/s400/King+Sejong+2.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span style="font-size: small;">King Sejong Awaits as carved by ICA Park Chan Soo</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Morning Earth is not like your standard tour company.<span> </span>Actually we don’t think of ourselves as a tour company at all but rather as promoters of Korean arts and culture.<span> </span>As part of our work we design and often host unique tours to Korea.<span> </span>Our goal is to provide a better tour at a lower price as we introduce our guests to aspects of Korean arts and culture seldom attempted by others.<span> </span>We want to introduce you to a Korea beyond the well-worn travel trails.<span> </span>We want to introduce you to the heart of Korean arts and culture – to the people whose combined efforts provide the glue that sustain and enhance Korea’s rich culture, to the significant events that shine a spotlight on a particular part of Korean culture and to certain little known aspects of Korean culture like Korean Tea.<span> </span>We also like to take you to those places where Korean culture is alive and thriving, to the temples, museums and even Saturday markets, to the out of the way nooks and crannies of Korea where you can just stand in awe of what is happening in this beautiful land we call Korea.<span> </span>That is why we designed Tea Tour Korea.<span> </span>Some knowledgeable travel professionals who have seen the proposed itinerary have called this tour, “The most culturally rich tour to Korea ever planned.”<span> </span>I know you are waiting to see it too.<span> </span>Thank you for your patience.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It is coming soon.<span> </span>As we wait, please <a href="mailto:morningcranetea@sbcglobal.net">email </a>me with your comments and suggestions.</span></span></div>Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-66462107398870405282010-10-14T22:10:00.000-07:002010-10-26T21:34:54.101-07:00Welcome to Tea Tour Korea<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to our Tea Tour Korea blog. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Korea is a destination tourist spot for many Asian countries. Its beautiful mountains with their wonderful mountain adventures, </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCfv83J1VjI/AAAAAAAAAXI/RKyZV6RQBpo/s1600/Korean+Mountains+Hike+Korea+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCfv83J1VjI/AAAAAAAAAXI/RKyZV6RQBpo/s400/Korean+Mountains+Hike+Korea+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Korea's Mountains Hold Many Adventures</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <o:p></o:p> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">historic sites,</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCfx-zDNEfI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/6JunVemcgF4/s1600/Bulgoksa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCfx-zDNEfI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/6JunVemcgF4/s400/Bulgoksa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Bulgoksa Korea's most Famous Temple</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">bargain prices and friendly people lure them to Korea for wonderful holidays and even weekend ‘getaways’. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our many travels to Korea we have been drawn to a very interesting conclusion -- tea is the secret ingredient to much of Korea’s rich culture. Without tea, Buddhism would not be the same, pottery would not be the same - anywhere in the world– and we would be denied the second most consumed beverage in the world - next to water. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf1h9xPnqI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FYFS8KmfSwM/s1600/tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf1h9xPnqI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FYFS8KmfSwM/s400/tea.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Bosong Tea After Harvesting</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tea is at Korea’s cultural heart. Without tea, and the practices associated with it, one can say that we would not have as many artists of many types throughout this beautiful land - Korea. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So when you join us on Tea Tour Korea 2011, you will be joining us on an adventure not just to sip some very special tea but also to watch Korea’s rich arts and culture unfold before you while enjoying an occasional cup of their wonderful tea. You will go beyond ‘watching’ to ‘<i>experiencing’</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> important aspects of Korea’s culture first hand. If you are truly interested in learning about Korean culture, nothing could be better.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2As3ZjvI/AAAAAAAAAXg/jadkeDzdjN4/s1600/Farm+dancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2As3ZjvI/AAAAAAAAAXg/jadkeDzdjN4/s400/Farm+dancers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Farm Dancers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Our posts will start simple and as we reveal more aspects of the tour our posts will grow in detail. As our blog grows, we hope your interest will also grow. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Tea Tour Korea you will not only see or “visit” Korea you will <i>EXPERIENCE</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Korea in ways seldom attempted ever before on any tour. And sometimes you will find that like the dragonfly it is the simple things that often seem to matter most.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hope that you will join us by following this blog. It will begin slowly and build to reveal the true nature of what we are planning – perhaps to reveal Korea in ways you have never thought of before. Please join us as we “touch the heart of Korea” through tea.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Simple Things</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2TGxYnAI/AAAAAAAAAXo/J-vJAdR8O9A/s1600/1+Fog+near+Sokkuram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2TGxYnAI/AAAAAAAAAXo/J-vJAdR8O9A/s400/1+Fog+near+Sokkuram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Sokkuram Fog</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Near the ancient Buddhist temple of <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/736">Sokkuram</a>, early in the spring, the mountain mist often settles among the trees as it has done this morning. Many tourists slowly walk along this path in anticipation of seeing the ancient stone Buddha but few pause to enjoy the mist. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2ln7LBeI/AAAAAAAAAXw/prvGUxNVirY/s1600/2+Potters+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf2ln7LBeI/AAAAAAAAAXw/prvGUxNVirY/s400/2+Potters+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A Hand-formed Potter's Home</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Not many miles away, inside this home set high on another mountain, a tea ware artist slowly wakes from his sleep. He discovers that his daughter moved her yo close to his and has slept beside him all night. <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2010/01/tea-ware-artists-tea-gallery.html">The artist built this home</a> by hand from raw clay and trees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf25EuNfmI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Mzcfq5UTAO8/s1600/3+In+the+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf25EuNfmI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Mzcfq5UTAO8/s400/3+In+the+Kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">His wife, already awake, is in the kitchen making breakfast. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf3Do0CP1I/AAAAAAAAAYA/NFhfE1zXIWg/s1600/4+bamboo+tea+monk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf3Do0CP1I/AAAAAAAAAYA/NFhfE1zXIWg/s400/4+bamboo+tea+monk.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A Monk Visits His Wild 'Bamboo' Tea</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A hundred miles east, behind another ancient temple, the morning mist begins to rise after kissing the newly emerged tiny tealeaves on Jirisan. Morning prayers and meditation have finished and several monks walk slowly behind the temple through the still moist woods into the bamboo forest. There, among the bamboo, they find wild tea plants and check the tea leaves to see how wet they are from the morning dew. These leaves are still a little too wet. The monks will wait until afternoon to pick them.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">New sprouting tealeaves are abundant. It is about time, the winter was cold and the tealeaves started emerging later than usual. Brother Anthony and Hong Kyeong-hee, authors of <i><a href="http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/kortea.htm">The Korean Way of Tea</a>,</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> will visit this temple in the afternoon along with some international guests who want to experience the picking and making of nokcha. Some will stay the night at the temple so the monks are preparing for their arrival.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf3cU5GieI/AAAAAAAAAYI/2rr3i2oU8gQ/s1600/5+Min+Kiln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf3cU5GieI/AAAAAAAAAYI/2rr3i2oU8gQ/s400/5+Min+Kiln.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Min Young Ki's Kiln Waits</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A short distance away, work gloves sit on the ledge of the kiln of one of Korea’s most famous tea masters. The gloves are waiting for the potter to load the kiln. It will be loaded today then fired by wood - a ritual preformed often in this old kiln. We can hardly wait to see the results of this firing.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf31VCFTYI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/AcQ56fGFR1w/s1600/6+Bosong+tea+plantation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf31VCFTYI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/AcQ56fGFR1w/s400/6+Bosong+tea+plantation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A Bosong Tea Plantation</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A hundred miles further east we find the Bosong tea plantations. This plantation is beautiful and the site of several movies. A Bosong tea plantation was the first Korean tea plantation to receive the prestigious international ‘organic’ label. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf4G-mSvTI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jicpOal9qnc/s1600/7+Gangjin+Tea+plantation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf4G-mSvTI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jicpOal9qnc/s400/7+Gangjin+Tea+plantation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">O'Sulloc Tea Plantation, Gangjin</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The great tea and celadon city of Gangjin is nearby. A tea company in Gangjin is quickly becoming well known and obviously has plans to export Korean tea in the near future.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf4hQhh0EI/AAAAAAAAAYg/n5iggbpu3zs/s1600/8+Gangjin+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf4hQhh0EI/AAAAAAAAAYg/n5iggbpu3zs/s400/8+Gangjin+work.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A 2009 Gangjin Celadon Incense Burner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gangjin is the home of <a href="http://www.gangjinceladon.com/">Gangjin celadon</a>. Twelfth century China considered the celadon of Korea to be ‘the finest celadon in the world’ – every other thing on the ‘finest’ list was Chinese. Nearly 80 percent of the Goryeo Dynasty celadon found in Museums throughout the world was made in Gangjin. Gangjin’s artists are quickly reclaiming the reputation of producing the finest celadon in the world with their twenty-first century work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf5FhDkEGI/AAAAAAAAAYo/pHv17RLJLM8/s1600/9+the+forest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf5FhDkEGI/AAAAAAAAAYo/pHv17RLJLM8/s400/9+the+forest.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At Baekryeonsa Gangjin's Famous Tea Temple</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a mountain temple a famous tea monk walks through a camellia forest to the temple’s tea area surrounded by trees. There he will personally pick his tealeaves. These leaves will be for Ujeon. Later pickings will be for Sejak, Jungjak and Daejak or his special Ddokcha a rediscovery of the ancient methods of the famous Korean tea monk Cho-Ui who lived at this temple.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf51guNRUI/AAAAAAAAAYw/OkCew6u61Rg/s1600/10+At+The+Mungyeong+Featival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf51guNRUI/AAAAAAAAAYw/OkCew6u61Rg/s400/10+At+The+Mungyeong+Featival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Mungyeong Chassabal Festival Grounds</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearly two-hundred miles northeast many tea ware artists, including some national treasures, are waking, eating their breakfast and preparing it go to their annual festival - the Mungyeong Chassabal Festival - where international tea ware artists from nearly thirty countries are also exhibiting. Held in a famous movie set the Mungyeong Chassabal Festival may be the most picturesque festival in Korea. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6QAYG6II/AAAAAAAAAY4/NqQlRifANac/s1600/10a+A+group+of+International+Artists+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6QAYG6II/AAAAAAAAAY4/NqQlRifANac/s400/10a+A+group+of+International+Artists+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Group of International Ceramic Artist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some authorities consider it to be the best teabowl festival in the world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6mCdQwGI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SFH7QuozumU/s1600/11+Azaleas+in+bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6mCdQwGI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SFH7QuozumU/s400/11+Azaleas+in+bloom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Azaleas Bloom on the Beakdu-daegan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you like to hike, you may even have the opportunity to hike a little on Korea’s famous <a href="http://www.baekdu-daegan.com/">Beakdu-daegan</a>. The views from the top of this mountain range are magnificent. The Beakdu-daegan curves at Mungyeong. <span style="font-size: large;">We want to thank <a href="http://www.hikekorea.com/">Roger Sheperd</a> for permission to show some of his mountain photos.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6-F03zCI/AAAAAAAAAZI/dLDdcUTAOSY/s1600/12+The+residence+at+MOKA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf6-F03zCI/AAAAAAAAAZI/dLDdcUTAOSY/s400/12+The+residence+at+MOKA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Moka Museum Home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In another home, not many miles away, at a beautiful compound museum, a national treasure <a href="http://humanculturaltreasuretours.com/Moka_Museum.html">Buddhist woodcarver</a> greets his stepdaughter as she helps her mother-in-law prepare his morning tea. Perhaps he will carve for us when we visit him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf7RxRlFWI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/vw3t3j2fk1I/s1600/13+Cho+Young-kook+cups+and+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf7RxRlFWI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/vw3t3j2fk1I/s400/13+Cho+Young-kook+cups+and+table.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contemporary Tea Cups by Cho Young-Kook at the WOCEF Exhibit</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the same city, museum officials are busy preparing to go to their museum. There is much work even now to organize the famous <a href="http://www.wocef.com/eng_2009/biennale/02.asp">World Ceramic</a> Exposition scheduled for October. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf7v9831EI/AAAAAAAAAZY/OAoCnwgl93E/s1600/13a+Toyo+Awaits+Visitors+at+WOCEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TCf7v9831EI/AAAAAAAAAZY/OAoCnwgl93E/s320/13a+Toyo+Awaits+Visitors+at+WOCEF.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">TOYO Greets WOCEF Visitors</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will visit these famous world-class ceramic exhibition halls during our 2011 tour. As mentioned, the ceramic exposition for 2011 will open in October, a drastic change from most previous years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you a little confused as to where you are in this beautiful land of Korea? Don’t worry, we will guide you, in a more orderly fashion, as you visit these places, meet these people, and have experiences like these and many more on Tea Tour Korea 2011. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While it carries the name “Tea Tour”, this tour encompasses far more than tea. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Steeped in a variety of cultural experiences, well beyond what is mentioned above, this is the perfect tour to introduce anyone to Korea’s rich and varied culture – not just to view it – but to <i>experience</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> it. This tour will touch the heart of Korea by visiting the artists (of several disciplines), tea areas, museums, temples and other places that make Korea’s culture what it is today. Touch the heart of Korea and Korea may touch your heart in return.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Become a follower of this blog and register to learn more about Tea Tour Korea. Email us at:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:MorningCraneTea@sbcglobal.net">MorningCraneTea@sbcglobal.net</a>.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please Include:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your Name<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Email Address<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mailing address<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phone number<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your mailing address and phone number are optional but appreciated so that we can send you information on Korea. We keep the information private and in house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We would appreciate it if you would include a short statement concerning your personal reasons for wanting to learn more about Korean arts and culture.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Note:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This blog is about developing Tea Tour Korea 2011 and will remain active after the tour. Although we can’t promise you that we will ever plan another tea tour again – at least one on which we will be your hosts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our goal is to make this May 2011 tour the most culturally rich Korean culture tour ever developed. We hope that you will follow this blog as the tour develops and join us in May 2011 on what will be a fantastic journey through Korea’s rich culture. We look forward to your comments and questions even suggestions. Registration will provide you with extra and early tour updates, special opportunities and reserve your spot on Tea Tour Korea 2011– without obligation. Visit <a href="http://teatourkorea.com/">TeaTourKorea.com</a> for some additional information but be aware that this blog is the up-to-date site for Tea Tour Korea 2011. The website will be updated later when we have more information. In the meantime, last year’s information is there now – don’t get them confused. Again, this blog is the up-to-date site for Tea Tour Korea 2011 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tea Tour Korea will take place in May 2011 and last for about 15 days. The specific dates are coming soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We look forward to meeting you in Korea and to sharing some great Korean experiences with you. Touch the heart of Korea.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Discussions on Korean tea and tea ware can be found at <a href="http://www.morningcranetea.blogspot.com/">Morning Crane Tea</a> blog and at <a href="http://www.dawan-chawan-chassabal.blogspot.com/">dawan-chawan-chassabal</a> blog.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000271036176550654.post-9418313033279267422010-10-14T19:16:00.000-07:002013-03-24T13:56:38.861-07:00The Korean Way of Tea<style>
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<span style="color: #b87856; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">To begin at the beginning of this blog, click <a href="http://teatourkorea.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-tea-tour-korea.html">here</a> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b87856; font-size: 14pt;">T</span><span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-size: 14pt;">here is something compelling about tea that goes far beyond the ordinary. Each morning I sit with a Korean teacup, small, no handle, subtle in color and form, fitting my hand like no other. It is filled with Korean green tea - picked early in the spring - warm to both the hand and heart. Those moments take me away from the blur of daily life to peace and clarity. For me, that is ‘tea’.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-size: 14pt;"> I suppose each of us has their moment of ‘tea’ or we would not be interested in this web site. We have discovered the compelling nature of tea. For me that time comes from that perfect joining of Korean tea and Korean teacup. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This spring we hosted a small group of tea lovers and went into the mountains near Gangjin to visit Baekryeonsa an old temple where <a href="http://www.morningearthpottery.com/Tea_Tour_Korea/Ven_Cho-ui.html">Cho Ui </a>the great Korean tea masters once lived. </span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLevYZkT1lI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/BhHW2OZ_Sbg/s1600/Il+Dam+tea+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLevYZkT1lI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/BhHW2OZ_Sbg/s320/Il+Dam+tea+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLev2k1L_7I/AAAAAAAAAaA/AHBLMfyleOY/s1600/Il+Dam+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLev2k1L_7I/AAAAAAAAAaA/AHBLMfyleOY/s320/Il+Dam+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Il Dam's 'Free brewed' Tea</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-size: 14pt;">While the monk Il Dam was ‘free serving’ us newly made green tea the great tea-master Ya Yeon returned from the temples tea garden where he had been picking tea and presented his collection to our group. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLewPp0fIMI/AAAAAAAAAaE/vGcIiQ3XHLk/s1600/YaYeon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLewPp0fIMI/AAAAAAAAAaE/vGcIiQ3XHLk/s320/YaYeon+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ya Yeon's Fresh Picked Tea</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-size: 14pt;">Ya Yeon has rediscovered the temples famous ddokcha an aged red tea in cake form once made during the Goryeo Dynasty.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLewvWA7usI/AAAAAAAAAaI/j2xk9gX-CDk/s1600/ddokcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLewvWA7usI/AAAAAAAAAaI/j2xk9gX-CDk/s320/ddokcha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ya Yeon's Ddokcha</div>
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<span style="color: #dfc6bb; font-size: 14pt;">Koreans and Japanese have long known about Korean tea but Korean tea is little known in the Western world. Few books on tea </span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">contain any information on Korean tea<a href="http://www.teatrekker.com/store/tea/green/green+-+other_regions.php">*</a>. However, </span><span style="color: #dbc3b9; font-size: 14pt;">k</span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">nowledgeable tea connoisseurs have reported that handpicked and processed Korean green teas are among the best green teas in the world. It is said of Korean green tea that it has both the taste of Luan tea and the healing-powers of Mengshan tea.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the same time, knowledgeable tea ware connoisseurs have reported that hand formed Korean tea bowls are historically the finest tea bowls in the world. Even today, many tea ware connoisseurs from around the world, but principally from Japan, travel to Korea to find outstanding tea bowls. They have been known to pay enormous prices for new Korean tea bowls and present prestigious awards to Korean tea ware potters. Most books that include information on tea bowls include long descriptions of selected Korean examples. The famous book </span></span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-family: Baskerville-Italic; font-size: 14pt;"><i>An Unknown Craftsman: a Japanese Insight Into Beauty</i></span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">by Japan’s famous aesthetician Soetsu Yanagi includes an entire chapter on one very humble Korean teabowl. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLexuqtt5RI/AAAAAAAAAaM/wXtM86Fds2c/s1600/Kizaemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZAbRZk3Jy1Q/TLexuqtt5RI/AAAAAAAAAaM/wXtM86Fds2c/s320/Kizaemon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 'Kizaemon' Tea Bowl</div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">The discrepancy between the appreciation of Korean tea and Korean tea ware is enormous. We hope this tour will begin to pave the way toward a greater appreciation for Korean tea so that one day the two worlds of Korean tea, tea ware and tea, will both be greatly appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">On my first trip to Korea, now more than thirty years ago, a friend took me to visit a potter. The potter’s work was very Korean, made of porcelain and at first glance simple, humble and plain - quiet in its subtle beauty. As we sat, the potter’s daughter, dressed in a simple white hanbok, walked slowly into the room carrying a tray on which was works by her father. Quietly she placed the tray on the low table and sat on the floor. It was fascinating to watch her first warm the bowl and cups with hot water and then with graceful fluid movements simply prepare tea. I had never experienced tea like that before. The flavor was so profound, the poetic moment unforgettable. It was not a ceremony, but it was the Korean way of tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">In their book </span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><i>The Korean Way of Tea</i></span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"> Brother Anthony of Taize and Hong Kyeong-Hee write: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">‘Sitting in a traditional Korean house, with doors and windows open to the early morning sunshine, the taste of the first cup of tea, made with water that is far below boiling point, on a palate freshly awakened, is so intense, so indescribably fragrant, that from that day on the only question can be: ‘When shall I be able to go back and drink that tea again?</span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><i>’</i></span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">That too is the Korean way of tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Tea Ware Artist Park Jong Ill Prepares Two Types of Tea</span><br />
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">Later we met with the potter Park Jong Il who after some exciting side trips through Jirisan tea country finally took us to his home high into the mountains near Gyeongju, the capitol of Silla at the time when tea was first introduced into Korea. There we spent the night in the tea house Park Jong Il had made from raw clay he dig nearby and from trees hewn from the mountain. With his simple natural tea ware, lightly glazed or just kissed by the now melted fly ash during the firing, we sat as he prepared tea. Moments like that always awaken the spiritual side of tea. That too is the Korean way of tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"> It is these experiences and more that have guided us to offer you this unparalleled opportunity to experience the Korean way of tea. </span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">This is not a commercial tea tour highlighting the Korean movies filmed at one of Bosong’s tea plantations. Your tour will be in-depth and will highlight both quality tea and quality tea ware. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">The tour will begin in Seoul with an introduction to Korean tea presented by Brother Anthony of Taize, co-author of the book </span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><i>The Korean Way of Tea </i>and one of the translators of<i> Korean Tea Classics</i></span><span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">. Then it will travel to the WOCEF site in Kwangju before traveling to the International Mungyeong Tea Bowl Festival where you will see the work of international and local tea ware artists. Mungyeong has a thousand year history of producing tea ware. Three ceramic Human Cultural Treasures live in Mungyeong among many other excellent tea ware artists. This is one of the sites where Hideoshi’s army camped during the Imjin or “Pottery War”. Many potters were taken from this area in that historic war. They helped lay the foundation for Japan’s pottery today. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">Although we are beginning at the Mungyeong Teabowl Festival we usually like to avoid crowds and travel to out of the way places. The tour becomes much quieter and spiritual as we trace both the history of Korean tea ceramics and the history of Korean tea.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/kortea.htm" style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Brother Anthony of Taize</span></a> and Hong Kyeong-Hee authors of <i>The Korean Way of Tea</i> and translators of <i>Korean Tea Classics</i> are helping to plan and will participate in the tea portion of this tour. As mentioned, at the beginning, they will introduce the tour. They will join us when we enter the tea area of Jirisan and travel with us through Gangjin. These mountains are famous as the areas that produce the “best teas in Korea”. It is in Jirisan where tea was first planted in Korea. The Goryeo Dynasty - that made Gangjin famous was the height of Korean tea and home of the great tea-master Cho Ui. After touring important areas of Jisan Tea, Br. Anthony and Mr. Hong will take us to Hwaeom-sa a very famous tea temple. There you will experience temple life or you may choose to rest at a nearby hotel. The following morning, Br. Anthony, Mr. Hong and the temple monks will guide you through the experience of picking and processing your own Korean green tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">The tea portion of the tour will allow you to witness several tea plantations, including Jirisan areas and Bosong and we will travel to Gangjin famous for celadon made during the Goryeo Dynasty. Gangjin is an historic stop for Korean tea connoisseurs. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">We, with the help of Chung Yang-mo, foremost authority on Korean ceramics, are planning the tea ware portion of the tour. We have more than 40 years of Korean ceramic research experience and have selected some of Korea’s more interesting ceramic artists. They include a potter considered by some Japanese and Korean authorities to produce the finest tea bowls in Asia. You will visit Intangible Cultural Assets of various ceramic styles and <a href="http://morningcranetea.blogspot.com/2010/01/tea-ware-artists-tea-gallery.html">Park Jong Il,</a> the humble potter whose raw clay home sits high in the mountains near Gyeongju as well as many others. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">We simply want to introduce you to both Korean ceramics and the Korean way of tea. Our hope is that on this tour, with guests including tea connoisseurs, tea ware artists and others, you experience at least one moment when you will not only witness the Korean way of tea but will feel it deeply. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">“To read is to know, to travel is to understand.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">We hope that you will be open to the great experiences that await you on this tour.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #dcc4ba; font-size: 14pt;">Please contact us at: <a href="mailto:MorningCraneTea@sbcglobal.net">Morning Crane Tea </a>to register and be informed about this great adventure as it develops. Please go to our<a href="http://teatourkorea.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-tea-tour-korea.html"> introduction post</a> for information on registration.</span></div>
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Arthur K. J. Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357542544294221032noreply@blogger.com0