Nov

Storytelling in Miniature

by Meredith Mullins on November 5, 2018

Giant Panda eating peaches on a postage stamp from Mongolia, proving postage stamps show something about a country's cultural heritage and traditions. (Image © Gingwa/iStock.)

What does a postage stamp say about its country?
© Gingwa/iStock

Cultural Heritage and Traditions of the Mighty (Yet Tiny) Postage Stamp

As the popularity of “snail mail” dwindles in our digital age, it seems sadly plausible that some people today have never used a postage stamp. And that’s a pity.

Postage stamps of the world tell fascinating stories. And stamps—like the design of paper currency noted in an OIC Moments story last month—reveal much about a country’s cultural heritage and traditions.

Postal services have exploded with creativity to offer stamps that people look forward to adding to their letters and cards—like an artistic bow on a heartfelt package.

Chinese stamp with two blue birds, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © zjzpp163/iStock.)

Chinese postage stamp artistry
© zjzpp163/iStock

These tiny works of art and historical significance also generate revenue and inspire collectors who value the documentation of a country’s artistic style, heroes, leaders, icons, symbols, natural and manmade treasures, national brand, hobbies, holiday themes, and important moments—as well as creative ingenuity.

As The Philatelic Database says in their mission statement, postage stamps are a pictorial history of human progress.

As set of U.S. stamps showing the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. (Image © DMT.)

A panoramic set of stamps showing the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence
Photo by DMT

The Penny Black . . . And Beyond

Stamps come in all shapes and sizes, all colors, all materials, and often push the boundaries of media, with offerings that are holograms, tiny phonograph records, CD-ROMs, and motionstamps.

Who would have imagined that when the first stamp—The Penny Black—was invented in the U.K. in 1840, stamps would become a true art form.

The Penny Black postage stamp from the U.K., showing how postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image in Public Domain).

The first postage stamp—The Penny Black
(Image in Public Domain)

It should also be noted that, because of the innovation and elegance of The Penny Black and the popularity of sending a message for only one penny, this original stamp set in motion a significant increase in people sending messages by mail.

The most interesting thing about a postage stamp is the persistence with which it sticks to its job.
—Napoleon Hill

While this quote is meant to inspire sticking with any job until its done, it is an apt use of the postage stamp as a central idea. Stamps get a letter, card, or package from one end of the planet to the other, for not much money in the grand scheme of things.

Two Cuban bird stamps, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © DMT.)

Native flora and fauna are a common postage stamp theme.
Photo by DMT

Who Nose What’s Next

Over the years, the postal path has been filled with interesting smells. Many countries issue flora-scented stamps.

Bhutan created the first scented stamp in 1973—a series of rose stamps infused with rose essence. India has jasmine- and sandalwood-scented stamps. South Korea issued a set of four endangered flowers that smelled of violets.

German Postage stamp with strawberry, showing that postage stamps can reveal cultural heritage and traditions of a country.

The German strawberry-scented postage stamp

And Germany, known for its scented stamps, has a popular series featuring fruit (strawberry, apple, lemon, and blueberry).

Often, a country issues a scented stamp that tells a cultural or commemorative story. Switzerland has a chocolate-scented stamp. Brazil promotes its coffee trade with a stamp that wafts the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. A Hong Kong stamp series emits the subtle fragrance of jasmine tea.

The U.K issued a healing eucalyptus-scented stamp in honor of its medical Nobel Prize in 2001. And China issued a sweet-and-sour-pork infused stamp for the Year of the Pig in 2007.

The U.S.—a little slow to the world scented-stamp stage—just issued its first scratch-and-sniff stamp this year. The popsicle series smells like the frozen treats of summer. (I get notes of sweet red fruit and a hint of pink cotton candy on the finish.)

U.S. scratch and sniff summer popsicle stamps, showing that postage stamps can show the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image courtesy of the U.S. Post Office.)

The U.S. released its first scratch-and-sniff stamps in the summer of 2018.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Post Office.

Sometimes, it’s not all chocolate and roses. Brazil issued a set of stamps in 1999 with the smell of burnt wood to remind people of the risk of forest fires and deforestation to the environment.

A postage stamp showing Monpazier France in gold, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © DMT.)

France features its architectural history in this panoramic postage stamp.
Photo by DMT

A Stamp-ede of Creativity

Several countries stand out as creative stamp designers.

Dutch triangular stamp, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © Kaato/iStock.)

Stamps come in all shapes and sizes.
© Kaato/iStock

Bhutan seems to lead the pack for its originality and series of “firsts.” As a small country in need of revenue, there was a royal push for stamps that would interest the world of philately. With the help of American Burt Todd, the Bhutan Stamp Agency was founded.

The agency started conventionally with the Bhutanese royal crest, a yak, a monastery, and a soldier from the royal bodyguard force.

CD-ROM postage stamp from Bhutan, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country.

Bhutanese postage stamp that doubles as a CD-ROM history of the kingdom

Their artistry began to bloom as they created the first scented stamp (the aforementioned roses), stamps printed on silk and steel, and, finally, stamps that also served as tiny phonograph records, playing the Bhutanese national anthem and traditional folk songs.

Most recently, stamps have been produced that are CD-ROMs presenting a history of the country.

Austria has also been innovative in its postal approach. The country created an embroidered stamp, a stamp made out of soccer ball material to commemorate a 2008 UEFA soccer tournament, a stamp of a crystal swan with actual crystal particles attached, and a stamp picturing a meteorite that actually has embedded particles of meteorite dust (promoted as “mail from another world”).

Malaysia has a series of stamps featuring its exotic nocturnal animals. Their eyes glow in the dark. Finland also has a glow-in-the-dark series celebrating its lighthouses.

Jerboa on a triangular Mongolian postage stamp, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © Alexander Zam/iStock.)

Mongolia celebrates the Long-Eared Jerboa in a creative triangular stamp.
Image © Alexander Zam/iStock

Canada honors it culture with a range of offerings—from a stamp with its national symbol, the maple leaf, to a motionstamp showing their ice hockey heroes scoring goals via lenticular magic.

Maple leaves on canadian postage stamp, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © Manakin/iStock.)

From iconic symbols to moving pictures, Canada is a creative force
in the postage stamp world.
© Manakin/iStock

The Netherlands has a stamp with hidden flower seeds. And Portugal, the world’s leading manufacturer of cork, promotes its product with stamps made entirely of cork (each one unique because of the nature of the material).

The U.S. set of circular ball stamps, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © DMT.)

The U.S. goes circular with this series of sports balls.
Photo by DMT

Postal Poetry

Imagination will take you everywhere.
—Einstein

The “Oh, I see” moment in the postage stamp world reflects Einstein’s sentiment. The creation of postage stamps thrives on artistic imagination that has no limits.

A group of postage stamps, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of countries. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

No limits to the artistry of the postage stamp
© Meredith Mullins

The Penny Black was elegant . . . and perfect for the cultural heritage and traditions of the time. However, we’ve come a long way since that innovative moment. There are no boundaries.

I imagine we will continue to be surprised by the artistry of postage stamps . . . and the stories they tell. And, hopefully, we will continue to send letters and cards to friends and family all over the world.

Long live the postage stamp!

A set of U.S. stamps commemorating the total eclipse of the sun, showing that postage stamps can reveal the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © DMT.)

The U.S. issued a set of heat sensitive stamps to commemorate the 2017 total eclipse of the sun.
Photo by DMT

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Cultural Symbols/Worldwide Sites

Oct

Cultural Traditions of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

by Meredith Mullins on October 15, 2018

Japanese woman presents a tea caddy for the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The Way of Tea
© Meredith Mullins

Ichi-go Ichi-e: Life Lessons

Let the tea be simple and your hospitality heartfelt.—Sen no Rikyu*

When I entered the tea house, I suddenly felt reverential—a guest of some greater spirit.

The simple wooden walls, tatami floor, and perfect Ikebana arrangement created a sanctuary so serene that the only sounds were that of the birds in the garden and the simmering water for the tea.

I met Kozue, a student who was dressed in a silk kimono of muted tones of lilac and plum that had been passed through generations of her family. I asked her how long she has been studying the Japanese tea ceremony.

She bowed her head slightly and said, “Only 27 years.”

Japanese woman bows in front of utensils for the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

A lifetime of study
© Meredith Mullins

I knew then that there was a more profound layer to the seeming simplicity of the tea ceremony.

Some art forms take a lifetime to master. The tea ceremony is one of those arts—part of a rich heritage of Japanese cultural traditions.

An alcove in a Japanese tea house, the setting for the Japanese tea ceremony that shows the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The simple elegance of the Japanese tea house
© Meredith Mullins

From Mozart to Chadō

In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit to my tea inspiration. I was reminded of the elegance of the Japanese tea ceremony recently in an episode of “Mozart in the Jungle” (Season 4/Episode 8) directed by Roman Coppola. (Yes, television can be enlightening.) After watching this mesmerizing segment, I went in search of more knowledge.

I was fortunate to find a local class in the art of Japanese tea taught by Mrs. Matsui, who has been studying the tea ceremony for most of her life.

She has built a tea house in the Japanese garden behind her modern California home and teaches those who wish to learn more about the graceful and meticulously choreographed steps in chadō, or the “Way of Tea.”

Japanese teacher Mrs. Matsui oversees a student in the art of the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Mrs. Matsui guides her student in the graceful choreography of the ceremony.
© Meredith Mullins

The Heart of the Ceremony

In Japanese, the tea ceremony is called chanoyu, sadō, or chadō, and is noted as one of the classical Japanese arts.

The ceremony is not just about serving tea. It is a study of philosophy, art, aesthetics, calligraphy, and literature.

More importantly, the ceremony is a traditional way of strengthening the bonds of those participating. It also inspires a commitment of time to the contemplation of beauty.

Japanese woman at door of tea room preparing for a Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The host enters the tea room through a sliding door.
© Meredith Mullins

Ichi-go Ichi-e

Every tea gathering is a special experience. Each occasion calls for unique preparations, depending on the season, the time of day, the guests, and the theme of the ceremony.

The flowers and the hanging scroll in the alcove of the tea house (tokonoma) represent the season and the theme. The tea bowls are selected to match the character of the guests.

The host decides whether to offer a meal or just the traditional sweets, which are served to complement the mild bitterness of the green matcha tea.

Japanese sweets for the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Traditional sweets are served to complement the slight bitterness of the matcha tea.
(Mrs. Matsui diplomatically reminded me to unwrap the one in paper, as the paper is not edible.)
© Meredith Mullins

The host also decides whether to serve thick tea (for more formal occasions, served in one bowl to be shared by all guests) or thin tea (for more informal occasions, with individual tea bowls, chosen for each guest). If the host wishes, both thin tea and thick tea can be served in the same ceremony.

Bowl of matcha tea in a Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Thin matcha tea in a carefully selected bowl for the occasion, the guest, and the season
© Meredith Mullins

All of these preparations ensure that the experience will be completely unique. And that sharing a cup of tea in this moment can never be replicated and, thus, should be treasured.

The Japanese saying Ichi-go Ichi-e means “One time. One Meeting.” Savor the moment, as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime experience . . . because it is.

Wa Kei Sei Jaku: Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquility

Wa Kei Sei Jaku

Although each ceremony is different, the four principles of Wa Kei Sei Jaku are always the foundation.

Wa: harmony
Kei: respect
Sei: purity
Jaku: tranquility

These principles ensure that the host and guests show respect for one another, that everyone leaves behind the thoughts and burdens of outside life, that the ceremony is performed from a pure heart, and that, hopefully, everyone finds some inner peace during the ceremony.

Japanese woman offers sweets in a Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The Poetry of Silence

The ceremony is filled with the sensory pleasures. Not only the graceful movements of the host, as the tools are carefully placed and cleaned and as the tea is prepared, but the heightened sounds, since most of the ceremony is performed in silence.

Japanese woman cleaning tea scoop for a Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The tea scoop, carved from a single piece of bamboo or ivory, is cleaned
with an intricately folded silk cloth.
© Meredith Mullins

The pouring of the tea water from the ladle brings to mind the sound of nature’s flowing water.

The ladling of water during a Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The whisking of the powdered tea and hot water, even though the most frenetic part of the gentle ceremony, is so rhythmic it seems to soothe the soul.

Hands whisking matcha tea in a bowl during the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The rustling silk of kimonos is a reminder of the depth of tradition.

This is not a chatty social gathering. The conversation is limited to guests asking about the provenance of the utensils, remarking on their beauty, and, perhaps, discussing the theme of the ceremony.

Japanese woman displays the utensils of the Japanese tea ceremony, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

“Oh, I See” Moments from “The Way of Tea”

I was mesmerized by the tea ceremony—hypnotic and elegant. It reaches into the depths of Japanese heritage and cultural traditions.

It reminded me of the beauty you can see when you take the time to appreciate the small details of the world and when you spend moments of quiet time being in the present.

Close up of the tools of the Japanese tea ceremony as the host pours the matcha powder, showing the cultural traditions of Japan. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

What impressed me the most are lessons that could be applied outside of the tea ceremony.

Being present in the moment to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and tradition.
Thinking only of others—your guests—and doing everything for their benefit.
Showing ultimate respect for one another.
Sharing something from the heart to strengthen bonds of friendship.

There are many profound elements to the Japanese tea ceremony. For me, the philosophies that could be applied to the rest of life will be the lasting treasures.

*Sen no Rikyu was the Japanese Tea Master who raised the tea ceremony to the level of art in the 16^thcentury.

Thank you to Mrs. Matsui and Kozue Knowles for their guidance in understanding the depth of the tea ceremony and to Cha-Ya tea shop.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Japan/Life Lessons

Oct

A Secret World of Discovery

by Meredith Mullins on October 1, 2018

Colorful historical scene from a Costa Rican banknote, showing the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

What can we learn from this work of art?
Image photo by Meredith Mullins

Cultural Heritage and Traditions Revealed

Countries reveal their cultural heritage and traditions through art, dress, storytelling, history, heroes, architecture, monuments, museums, language, music, products, and leaders.

They are also proud to present their natural treasures such as flora, fauna, and other gifts of nature.

Great wall of China on Chinese banknote, showing cultural heritage and traditions of China. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Natural and human-made treasures
Image photo by Meredith Mullins

What do these two images have in common?

Meredith Mullins 5 Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Worldwide Sites

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