Koreans are the only far easterners to use spoons to eat both rice and soup regularly. The Chinese have those chinaware spoons for soup but eat the rest with chopsticks only. Koreans use spoons all the time; two theories prevail about this practice. Eighty percent of Korean food consists of soups, often served in a communal pot in which everyone dips. Also Koreans love to put rice into the soup and eat the two together: impossible to eat with chopsticks. Another plausible reason lies in the habit of mixing rice with other grains making the whole rather non-sticky and therefore difficult to carry to the mouth with chopsticks because the mass lacks in adhesiveness. This is particularly true in the case of adding barley and millet which were and are wide spread customs. In fact in hard times, rice became a luxury to Koreans and they subsisted mostly on barley -- no stick there!

Whatever the reason, bronze spoons and chopsticks have been unearthed from the royal tomb of King Munyong of Paekje (r. 501-523), among other places, which are very similar to those found in China making it highly likely that either Koreans copied Chinese spoons or they used imported ones. But the Chinese stopped using spoons on a regular basis and Koreans continued... Other spoons, dating from the Unified Shilla Period (668 - 932) were excavated. These show straighter handles and are not found in China. Those dating after the eighth century were absolutely unlike any Chinese ones. As a similar style is found in Japan, it is surmised that Korea exported them to that country. Members of the royal court had to use silver chopsticks and spoon because poison discolors silver, warning the user. Women of the court had a silver spoon which accompanied their personal dagger which they always carried so that it was ever available. The dagger was small with a very sharp blade just long enough to reach the heart, ready for suicide in order to avoid being raped in times of invasion.

Ancient spoons and chopsticks were made of copper, brass or silver. From the Koryo Period (932-1392), the spoons had curved handles which looked like a swallow's tail. Sometimes the handle ended in a knot. The spoon was also quite long and not very wide. It was not until the early Choson Period (1392-1910) that the spoons became flatter and wider and shaped like a lotus petal. After the middle of the Choson Period, the handles became longer and thicker and straighter and the round part became very round. As far as chopsticks are concerned, it is claimed that Korean chopsticks are the easiest and most convenient to use. Japanese chopsticks are too thin and Chinese chopsticks are hardly shaped at all. Many a foreign visitor would dispute this claim when faced with the highly slippery prospect of eating with the common metal Korean chopstick!

Even though history is not of the greatest interest, it is extraordinary to think that such mundane things as eating implements carry history, geography, art and technology all wrapped up in them. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of culture and etiquette contained in the lowly spoon. Customs concerning spoons are very strict. When setting the table each place is set with rice, soup, spoon and chopsticks. Rice comes first, then the soup followed by the spoon and then the chopsticks. (Is this in order of importance? In which case is the spoon more important than the chopsticks?) As far as table etiquette is concerned, Koreans never put the spoon down on the table until they have finished eating. When laying it to rest during the meal, the spoon is placed on the side of the rice bowl or in the soup bowl. The chopsticks can be placed on the table when the eater is occupied with other aspects of the meal but never the spoon. Also a spoon held too high up the handle foretells a marriage far from home. And anyone holding the spoon too far down the handle is simply uncouth -- and might have to suffer dirty fingers.

If you really want to change your fortune, here's how. You go to a fortune teller who decides on a more lucky or more auspicious name and has it engraved on your spoon. You then proceed to only use that spoon for a long time (one year?) and the new, luckier name changes everything for you. At least that is what a friend of mine did. I'm sorry to report that, as I lost sight of the person, I don't know the outcome so let's just believe the fortune teller and expect the best of all possibilities Traditionally newly weds prepare the spoons and chopsticks (and other things) which they will use until their death. The sumptuous 100 day celebration of a baby (feted because it has lived through the many perils of early infancy) is when the child receives his first set of spoon and chopsticks.?

After breakfast is the most important part of the day because the air and minds of the monks are clear. Activities continue with the studying monks often receiving their main instruction at this time.