KOREASCHOLAR

The Korean tea culture appeared in a variety of ceremonies of the royal household. It was a method of religion for scholars and Buddhist monks, and sometimes it also was a refinement, too. in addition, it played an important role as a household medicine for the common people. As mentioned above, the Korean tea culture has a deep-rooted effect on the Korean traditional culture from the spiritual aspect, art, learning, to the practical life. Recently the tea culture has been rapidly coming into vogue. So the tea culture has been recognised not only to be an index of the cultural level, but also to be an important cultural phenomenon. Besides, It came to be a major role as a reception method by which we can communicate with quests from ail over the world. Because preferred tea was different according to the times and to the regions, tea utensils have been changed along with the tea culture. The present Korean tea culture has a tendency to go to the somewhat different way from the traditional one. This study has the purpose to let us apprehend the Korean traditional culture and hold the national pride. In addition, the value of the Tea should be assessed more properly, and our own Tea that is unique, simple, and natural, should be settled in the our culture.

• 이유주 | Lee, U-Joo