Chuseok is a celebration of harvest and usually brings Korean families to their traditional roots. Family gatherings during this holiday are often in the countryside where their families originate.  Families pay tribute to their ancestors by visiting their graves and holding memorial services.

Some women spend days preparing and cooking traditional foods.  Some Korean food typically served include songpyeon (a rice cake that is most representative and particular to Chuseok), bulgogi, and of course kimchi. Many of the foods originally prepared for Chuseok used newly harvested food such as rice.

Hamboks are traditionally worn. Big payday for kids – the elderly give money to them.

Common Chuseok gifts include:

-Spam and cans of tuna. The most common gift exchanged. An indication of how poor Korea was not too long ago.  Both items are protein sources that require no refrigeration. I was unaware until my arrival in Korea that South Korea was one of the poorest countries in Asia, with North Korea being the economic powerhouse pre-World War 2. A complete reversal of today.

-Bonuses from employers. Eunmi mentioned she received a $1,000 deposit for Chuseok when she was a designer for Cyworld, the Korean equivalent to Facebook or Myspace. Eunmi also mentioned that employee bonuses for Chuseok were originally meant to enable everyone to have enough money to visit their families for the holiday.

-Olive oil. Primary oil used for cooking.

-Expensive Western liquor. Ballantines seems to be the pinnacle of liquor in Korea. If you want to impressive someone, you buy them the oldest bottle of Ballantines whiskey you can find and present it in gold gift-wrap (gold is the most desirable color for gift-wrap in Korea) – that goes for any special occasion.

Typical gift package of Spam and cooking oil. I couldn’t stop laughing when I first saw this, until Eunmi explained to me everything.

A whole array of gift packages with Spam, cooking oil, cans of tuna, and coffee available at your local Home Plus.

Today, Sam and I ventured to Insadong where 40% of all South Korean antique stores are located (Frommer’s South Korea). It is also claimed to be the cultural center of South Korea since the the late 1300’s.

I felt the pottery in particular was amazing in Insadong.

During what was known as “The Pottery Wars,” the Japanese destroyed almost all Korean pottery and kidnapped thousands of Korean potters during their invasion of Korea in the late 1500’s. Yi Sam-Pyong, who is regarded as the “father of Japanese pottery” was NOT a Japanese potter, but a Korean potter who was kidnapped from Korea during The Pottery Wars. Numerous internet sources mention Japan’s knowledge of ceramics and pottery is borrowed and perhaps could be more accurately stated, “stolen,” from Korea.

No sources clearly indicate information about the reasoning behind “The Pottery Wars,” but I would imagine Japan committed these crimes for economic reasons.  Korean pottery was regarded as the best in Asia at the time, and the Japanese knew that Korean-grade pottery  would remain high in demand. I’m starting to understand why there is so much tension between Korea and Japan.

Below are some photos of Korean pottery and ceramics in Insadong shops…..

Lots of pottery in this shop. I like how half of this store’s inventory is green pottery. It would be interesting to find out how she keeps inventory.

Unique Korean tea-pot design. I like the big handle…..makes more sense than a little handle you can barely put your finger through.

Some sort of green Korean ceramic containers. The little green duck is cute.

Lots of ceramic Korean tea sets. I would like to watch their potters make one of the teapots with the large handles.

Massive outdoor pots. Maybe kimchi pots? I would love one for my place but unfortunately, it would take up the entire space of my tiny place. There isn’t enough room at my place in Seoul for both the pot and me (somewhat kidding).

Interesting large brown pots with floral patterns. The texture of the surface of these pots are different for some reason.

Small and medium sized Korean ceramic pots. Simple and elegant design.