Boseong-gun Hosts Exhibition of East Asian Tea Culture and Tea Utensil Artifacts

The Evolution of 2000 Years of Dagu

Over 700 Artifacts, Korea's Largest Tea Culture Special Exhibition

Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it will hold the largest domestic "Exhibition of Oriental Tea Culture Tea Utensils Artifacts" during the Boseong World Tea Expo.

This exhibition showcases the evolution of tea utensils over approximately 2,000 years, from the Chinese Shennong era to 18th-century Western black tea utensils, featuring about 700 artifacts categorized by era.

[Photo by Boseong-gun]

The "Exhibition of Oriental Tea Culture Tea Utensils Artifacts," presented under eight main themes, will be held from April 29 to May 7 at the Boseong Youth Training Center within the Korea Tea Culture Park, the main venue of the Expo.

The exhibition includes the "Shennong Bencao Jing," China's first pharmacology book, along with the only remaining "Samhwangdo (三皇圖)" in the world. Samhwangdo is a portrait of essential figures in Chinese tea culture such as Fuxi, the Yellow Emperor, and Shennong, created in the 14th century.

Fifty of the earliest drinking pottery pieces used by humanity will also be displayed.

These artifacts date from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, predating the emergence of tea culture, and are estimated to be everyday drinking vessels from about 6,500 to 2,000 years ago.

The history and culture of Korean tea, spanning Baekje, Goryeo, and Joseon dynasties, can also be explored through tea utensils.

Visitors can compare early celadon tea utensils found at Baekje sites such as Seoul Pungnap Fortress and Gongju Muryeong King’s Tomb, the celadon techniques that flourished during the Goryeo period, and early Joseon green tea utensils, which is a highlight of the exhibition.

Additionally, the development of tea culture in Korea, China, and Japan is examined through tea utensils, with recommendations to explore the similarities and differences in tea culture enjoyed by each country during different periods for a deeper viewing experience.

During the Qing Dynasty period (350 years ago to 100 years ago), the era of colored porcelain combining color, fragrance, and taste arrived, and visitors can see various colorful tea utensils made with diverse coloring techniques.

Two hundred Western black tea culture utensils will also be exhibited. The exhibition features Chinese black tea utensils ordered by Europeans who first purchased black tea from the East between the 17th and 19th centuries.

Kim Cheol-woo, co-chairman of the Boseong World Tea Expo, stated, "This special exhibition will showcase drinking vessels used by humanity 6,500 years ago, as well as drinking and tea cultures from each era. We have carefully selected about 700 authentic tea utensils from Korea and China to present a world-class exhibition of tea utensils that no other country can imitate."

Meanwhile, Boseong-gun plans to offer a variety of festivals and side events such as the Boseong Dahyang Grand Festival, Seopyeonje Boseong Sound Festival, Fireworks Festival, Illimsan Azalea Event, Beolgyo Mudflat Leisure Boat Competition, national-level sports competitions, and Boseong Citizens’ Day, providing diverse attractions for tourists visiting Boseong.

Boseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Cheon-seok hss79@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.