무령왕릉 출토 차개관(茶蓋罐)과 차례(茶禮) 제사 = The excavated Teapot(茶蓋罐) and Tea Ceremony(茶禮) from the Tomb of King Muryeong

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In 1990, a Celadon Teapot with Four Ears(靑瓷四耳壺) with the character ‘tea’ engraved on it was excavated from a late Silla Dynasty tomb in the Huzhou Museum, China. The significance of this celadon Teapot’s excavation lies in the fact that it represents the earliest container, known as a “Teapot(茶蓋罐)”, for storing tea in China found in complete condition.
Those teapots are primarily found in regions that were either capitals of the Baekje Kingdom or areas heavily influenced by central authority. However, it is noteworthy that the “Celadon Teapot with Four Ears” and “Celadon Teapot with Six Ears” excavated from the Royal Tomb were discovered in the tombs not belonging to the royal family.
The tomb of King Muryeong has a separate place for ancestral rites located in front of the tomb and within the tomb area itself, where three ancestral rites were conducted.
The first ancestral rite took place on August 12, 525, when the tomb of King Muryeong was sealed within the tomb. This rite, held for the king, resulted in the discovery of various artifacts such as a black-glazed four-eared vessel(黑釉四耳甁), celadon bowls, and bronze bowls, each found in one piece, along with wooden pieces(木片) presumed to be part of an altar(祭臺). On February 12, 529, the tomb of Queen Muryeong was sealed. Thirteen artifacts were excavated from the King’s tomb, While twenty-eight artifacts were found in the Queens’ tomb. Among the artifacts found from both the King and Queen’s tombs, the most notable differences are observed in bronze dishes, bronze cups, and bronze spoons. In particular, special attention is given to the bronze cups.
As indicated by their name, the tak-jans from the North-South Dynasties period were primarily made for drinking tea. Therefore, the bronze tak-jans found in the tomb of Queen Muryeong were tools used for drinking tea. This suggests that Queen Muryeong enjoyed drinking tea in her daily life. As a result, the tea utensils she regularly used during her lifetime were buried with her in the tomb.
The second ancestral rite was conducted in front of the tomb for King Muryeong and Queen Muryeong. Offerings included a set of dishes and chopsticks, each set consisting of two or three pairs. It is speculated that they were initially arranged for King Muryeong’s rites in 525, then rearranged for Queen Muryeong’s rites in 529 after her burial.
The third and final ancestral rite took place at the entrance of the entrance of the tomb. At the time of the excavation of King Muryeong’s tomb, two bronze bowls, one Celadon Teapot with Four Ears, one Celadon Teapot with Six Ears, and two bronze spoons were unearthed along with wooden pieces presumed to be part of an altar. These artifacts are believed to have been arranged as offerings for the final ritual conducted before the tomb was sealed on February 12, 529.
However, what is particularly notable among the three ancestral rites conducted at the tomb of King Muryeong is the use of various items such as black-glazed vessels, Celadon Teapots with Four Ears, Celadon Teapots with Six Ears, celadon bowls, bronze bowls, and bronze spoons as offerings in both the first and third rites. The bronze spoons were used for scooping tea from the teapots, indicating that tea was offered as part of the ritual. In other words, it can be interpreted that these rites involved tea ceremonies(茶禮) marking the earliest known instances of such ceremonies in Korea.
The reason to offer tea(獻茶) at the tomb of King Muryong was because both King Muryeong and Queen Muryeong enjoyed tea during their lifetime, and it was believed that their spirits continued to appreciate tea after death. This aspect holds significant importance in understanding the nature of the rituals conducted at the tomb of King Muryeong.