The irregular gaps between the clay pieces and the seemingly misaligned lines are often observed in Korean architecture. Some say such imperfection is part of what constitutes Korean sense of aesthetics.

This issue makes me keep thinking. Did we have to embrace imperfection because we couldn’t afford perfection in the old days? Or, did we choose to pursuit imperfection because we somehow came to an understanding that perfection was unnatural and, thus, a beauty of a lesser kind?

Photo taken at a temple in Mooreung Valley Park (무릉계곡 내 삼화사) on October 5, 2009.