Japanese Colonial Period Research Articles

Navigating Colonial Challenges: Edwin Wade Koons (1880–1947) and Kyungshin School (John D. Wells Academy)*

This study explores the life and contributions of Edwin Wade Koons, a missionary and educator who played a pivotal role in shaping Korea's educational landscape during the Japanese colonial period. As principal of Kyungshin School for 26 years, Koons navigated the complexities of colonial educational policies and internal conflicts within the missionary community. A prominent figure in Korean society, Koons was frequently featured in local media, yet despite the attention he garnered during his lifetime, his contributions have largely been overlooked. This study addresses that gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of Koons' educational work, with a particular focus on his pragmatic approach to maintaining the school's operations amid challenges such as Shinto shrine worship and student boycotts. Drawing on contemporary newspapers and primary sources, this study highlights Koons' efforts in developing Kyungshin School into one of Korea's foremost educational institutions and his impact on Korean education. The findings restore Koons to his rightful place in the historiography of Korea's colonial period, emphasising his influence as an educator and his commitment to sustaining educational opportunities under oppressive colonial rule.

Influence of the Enlightenment Activities of the Buddhist Lecture Tour Group on the Local Buddhist Youth Movement During the Japanese Colonial Period

Influence of the Enlightenment Activities of the Buddhist Lecture Tour Group on the Local Buddhist Youth Movement During the Japanese Colonial Period

창조적 공유지로서의 ‘경성 문학공간 아카이브 모델’ 연구: 일제강점기 소설문학을 중심으로

This study aims to develop a ‘Gyeongseong Literary Space Archive Model’ that serves as a ‘creative commons’ where researchers, creators, experts, and the general public can utilize, supplement, and collaborate by constructing ‘literary space episodes’ and ‘related materials’ collected from novels set in Gyeongseong during the Japanese colonial period as archives and literary maps. For this work, MediaWiki and Google Map: My Map were selected as digital tools, and a prototype of the ‘Gyeongseong Literary Space Archive’ was developed based on 10 short stories. The results of in-depth interviews with experts on this prototype were synthesized to derive and analyze a design that develops the archive into a creative commons. The Gyeongseong Literary Space Archive can serve as a creative commons where literary users such as creators, researchers, experts, and literature readers actively, collectively, and collaboratively construct meaning through interactions with texts and related materials in a literary space.

Buddhist Discourse in Changing Times: The Significance of Buddhist Magazines in Early 20th-Century Korea with a Focus on Bulgyo

In early 20th-century Korea, Buddhist magazines emerged as vital extra-canonical sources, offering a modern platform that complemented traditional Buddhist texts. These publications navigated the complexities between succeeding Buddhist tradition and embracing modernity, addressing the historical challenges of the 19th century while also contributing to the preservation of national sovereignty and the formation of a modern Korean Buddhist identity. Serving as a forum for scholarly works on Buddhist translation, doctrine, and history, as well as literature, education, and propagation, these magazines became central to both intellectual and spiritual discourse. Of the more than 30 periodicals published during the Japanese occupation, Bulgyo stood out as the longest-running and most influential magazine, with its complete archive preserved. Bulgyo brought together various members of the Buddhist community as both contributors and readers, broadening the scope of Buddhism to include a diverse range of topics such as academia, literature, art, women, and children. This article explores the role and significance of Korean Buddhist magazines during the Japanese colonial period, with a particular focus on Bulgyo, and examines how the publication helped shape Buddhist modernity within Korea’s complex political and religious landscape.

The Bible and the Mission: Mission of Japanese Missionaries in Korea under Japanese Imperialism, 1896–1921

This article examines the contrasting ways in which Korean Christians and Japanese missionaries interpreted the Bible during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1896–1921). Drawing on primary sources from both Japanese and Korean perspectives, the article highlights how biblical interpretation became a site of both ideological struggle and resistance. While Japanese missionaries often employed biblical narratives to legitimize Japanese imperialism and discourage Korean nationalism, Korean Christians found solace and inspiration in the Old Testament’s themes of liberation, drawing parallels between their own situation and the Israelites’ struggle for freedom. The Japanese government's prohibition on reading the Old Testament further exacerbated these contrasting interpretations, with Japanese missionaries generally supporting the ban and Korean Christians finding ways to resist it. By analysing these divergent interpretations, the article illuminates the complex interplay between mission, Bible, and imperialism in early twentieth-century colonial context of Korea. The article argues that the Korean case study offers a powerful historical example of how important it is that missionaries not only defend their own use of the Bible, but also remain open to the contextual interpretations of others.

CRIME IN EKA KURNIAWAN’S NOVEL LELAKI HARIMAU

The novel Lelaki Harimau by Eka Kurniawan describes the life of Javanese people during the Japanese colonial period. In the novel, there are various kinds of social problems, one of which is crime. This research aims to describe the forms of crime in the novel. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of library research. The theory used is criminal psychology with a literary psychology approach to bridge the study of psychology and literature. The results of the research show that there are three forms of crime in the novel: domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape committed by the major characters. The domestic violence as well as raping is done by a husband towards his wife; something weird but that is the truth. Sexual harassment is experienced by other female characters owing to hegemony of power and money. The research shows that crime is one of the social problems that occurs in society. These crimes can be caused by various factors, such as poverty, social inequality and family conflict.

The Case of Dutch and Japanese Colonial Political Policies on Islamic Education in Indonesia

During the colonial period, education must have been very difficult to get, because the colonizers who were in power at that time did not want education to reach the indigenous people. The Islamic education system during the Japanese occupation was basically the same as the Islamic education system in the Dutch era, namely in addition to the pesantren education system established by traditional scholars, there was also a classical education system as seen in madrasas. The Dutch have colonized Indonesia for centuries. And during the Dutch colonial period, access to Islamic education was very difficult because Dutch education was more dominant in non-Islamic education. While Japan actually gave relief to Islamic education in Indonesia, it was precisely the waiver from Japan that made Japan withdraw from Indonesia. The research method used in this study is a Literature Study that collects data from various written sources. This research aims to find out the cases of political policies related to Islamic Education in Indonesia during the Dutch and Japanese colonial periods.

Kangaku and the State: Colonial Collaboration between Korean and Japanese Traditional Sinologists

This article examines the response of kangaku 漢学, or traditional sinological study, to modernity in Japan and colonial Korea by focusing on institutionalization and the interactions between scholars of traditional sinology in Japan and colonized Korea. In the Japanese Empire, kangaku actively demonstrated that it could contribute to the nation-state and became a part of the modern educational system, including the Imperial University. The favorable atmosphere toward kangaku in the Japanese Empire also enabled the institutionalization of kangaku in colonial Korea. The process of institutionalization there was deeply influenced by the traditional network of Japanese sinologists. Traditional sinologists in Japan and colonial Korea were able to cooperate based on a shared “shibun (斯文 “This Culture of Ours”) consciousness,” a kind of consciousness of crisis that originated in the Analects. The shibun consciousness was rooted in the traditional literary world, where borders and contemporaneity were relatively ambiguous. Within the university system, kangaku gradually faced the pressure of specialization and elaboration of modern scholarship and the demands of the nation-state. Thus, successive generations of Korean and Japanese sinologists moved toward a new modern ideology that went beyond “shibun consciousness.”

현대소설의 일본어계 어휘 사용 양상에 관한 일고찰 : 박경리 『토지』와 최명희 『혼불』의 계량적 비교 분석

Vocabulary encompasses everything in a literary work. Examining the usage patterns of the fundamental vocabulary that constitutes a work provides a concrete and empirical basis for evaluating the claims of various research perspectives. Therefore, vocabulary analysis in a text is a crucial research method for exploring the context of a literary work. In other words, analyzing the lexical patterns in literary works provides insights into the themes, era, and authors' writing styles. This paper aims to examine the use of Japanese vocabulary in Honbul and Toji , both set during the Japanese colonial period in Korea. Toji actively incorporates Japanese vocabulary written in Hangul, reflecting the specific realities of Japanese imperialism and emphasizing themes like the tragedy of colonialism, anti-Japanese sentiment, and nationalist ideology. In contrast, Honbul uses Japanese vocabulary sparingly, portraying the colonial period as a dark age symbol rather than emphasizing it through language. Choi's work limits Japanese expressions to commonly known terms, thereby making them accessible to readers. This comparative lexical analysis not only provides an empirical basis for interpreting these works but also sheds light on the use of the Japanese language in contemporary Korean literature.

Revisiting resistance: student diaries and educational aspirations in Colonial Korea (1920–1945)

ABSTRACT This article examines the intricate interplay of educational enthusiasm, conformity, and resistance amongst Korean students during the Japanese colonial period (1920–1945). It explores how Japan’s governance shift in the 1920s, which extended schooling years and introduced co-education, elicited mixed responses from Korean students, ranging from compliance to various forms of resistance. By examining student diaries, this study unravels the complexities of educational aspirations and resistance and challenges traditional binary views of colonial educational history. The research highlights the heightened educational zeal in the 1920s and 1930s, characterised by increased school enrolment and fierce competition for admissions. The diaries provide insight into students’ reactions to colonial policies, blending aspirations for advancement with subtle forms of resistance. In analysing diary entries, this paper uncovers how increases in student enrolment and rising educational aspirations reflect both conformity with and resistance to colonial policies. Explicit resistance, more prominent in the 1920s, was replaced by implicit forms as militarism intensified in the 1930s. This study categorises resistance into organised (overt) and disorganised (covert) forms, with the latter including subtler forms of opposition, such as disquieting, indirect, and silent resistances. The diaries examined in this study reflect the dual life experiences of students, who adhered to public norms while nurturing private dissent. Manifestations of resistance ranged from disquieting actions to metaphorical defiance and strategic silence, which illustrates students’ complex navigation between external conformity and internal rebellion. This understanding of compliance and resistance, encompassing overt acts and subtle unspoken forms, underscores the need for a comprehensive view of educational aspirations during this historical period.

Western Style Eastward: The Derivation of Architectural Art and Design in Harbin (1898-1945)

Harbin s architectural design is known for its fusion, with Western design providing its outer skeleton and Chinese culture giving it its inner blood. Harbin has attracted the world s attention with its unique architectural design style since the 19th century. From the early Russian and Japanese colonial period, European and Japanese styles were introduced. Harbin s architectural design history has not only witnessed the changes of an era, but also demonstrated the fusion and symbiosis of multiple cultures. In the context of globalisation, how can Chinese art participate in the process of globalisation with a unique Chinese consciousness and visual image, how to face up to the existence of exotic transplanted cultures, and how to incorporate foreign design language symbols into Chinese design methodology? These are the questions that need to be solved urgently. Harbin s architectural design is not only a display of architectural art, but also a microscopic mirror of the progress of human civilisation and cultural exchange. Through in-depth study of the philosophical thinking, cultural interactions and aesthetic concepts behind its design, we can not only have a better glimpse of the cultural concepts of urban landscape, but also have a deeper understanding of the development of human civilisation and the future direction of Chinese architectural design.

Kim Bok-jin - the founder of national sculpture in Korea during the Japanese colonial period

This study analyzes the biography and work of Kim Bok-jin (pseudonym: Chongwan), the first Korean to graduate from the sculpture department of Tokyo University of the Arts in Japan during the Japanese colonial period (in 1925) and the first sculptor to introduce Western realist techniques to Korea. The study will also examine the national motifs in the works of Kim Bok-jin against the backdrop of a difficult historical period, and analyze a number of his little-known works through the prism of Korean studies. The main content of the study is the sculptures of Kim Bok-jin “standing woman”, “statue of Maitreya Buddha” “Baek Hwa”, “Youth (Boy)”, “Old man”. He is a significant figure in Korean sculpture: from 1925 until his death in 1940, Kim Bok-jin regularly exhibited his works at the Joseon Art Exhibition, and in addition to his artistic activities, he also ran the Art Research Institute, nurturing young artists. He also engaged in journalism, criticism, and political activity as a member of the Joseon Communist Party. The purpose of this study is to rethink the work of Kim Bok-jin, the founder of Korean sculpture, who was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit of the National Foundation in 1993.

독립운동가 박용만의 출판 활동 연구 : 1910년대 미주와 하와이, 1920년대 중국 북경을 중심으로

This study aims to analyze the meaning of the six books published by independence activist Park Yong-man from 1911 to 1927 after his arrival in the United States in 1905, as well as the publishing process and activities. To this end, the publication circumstances of the six books published were investigated based on the covers, copyrights, and prefaces, and the editing and production methods of the books were analyzed. In addition, related materials were analyzed to identify the context and meaning surrounding Park Yong-man’s publishing activities. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, Park Yong-man made efforts to find the optimal method that suited the purpose and characteristics of the books in the time, space, and technological environments of the United States and China in the 1910s and 1920s. As a result, the characteristics of his publishing activities became differentiated depending on the time and place. Second, Park Yong-man’s publishing activities expanded beyond the role of an “author” to that of a “publisher,” and his social network with independence movement organizations and figures played an important role. Third, Park Yong-man’s publishing activities were a ‘socio-cultural activity and independence movement’ that overcame the many difficulties experienced by overseas Koreans during the Japanese colonial period in a political, social, and technological environment with high complexity and changing characteristics.

A Diachronic Study on the Study of Cheondogyo’s Publication Media during the Japanese Colonial Period : Focusing on 『Gaebyeok(開闢)』

A Diachronic Study on the Study of Cheondogyo’s Publication Media during the Japanese Colonial Period : Focusing on 『Gaebyeok(開闢)』

Tongyeong Gwonbeon’s dance and activities during the Japanese colonial period

Tongyeong Gwonbeon’s dance and activities during the Japanese colonial period

토속민요에 대한 1960년대 라디오 프로그램의 인식 -다큐멘터리 시리즈 『민족의 향기』(1967~1968)의 사례 연구-

From the Japanese colonial period to the early 1960s, most of the Korean folk songs broadcast on South Korean radio were popular folk songs. It was natural that radio, as a mass medium, favored popular folk songs that suited the public’s taste. However, in the late 1960s, radio began to pay attention to indigenous folk songs being passed down in rural areas. As the most widespread medium in South Korea during this time, radio exerted significant influence over both public and private spheres. In this regard, it is necessary to study how radio programs during this period perceived indigenous folk songs. This paper examines how the documentary series Minjok-ui Hyanggi, broadcast on the Dong-A Broadcasting System (DBS) from March 1967 to October 1968, approached indigenous folk songs and evaluated their value. The documentary series aimed to establish a national ideology and contribute to the development of national culture by exploring Korea’s traditional culture and the spirit embedded in it. Accordingly, this program examined various tangible and intangible heritages of Korea with special emphasis on folk songs. Initially, the series sought to trace the origins of popular folk songs and explore their meaning in relation to regional identity. After several unsuccessful attempts, it shifted its focus to indigenous folk songs, featuring songs from Wido, Gochang, Jeju, Haenam, Jindo, Somuuido, Andong, Goseong, and Yeongsan from July to October 1967. This program discovered a positive and resilient attitude toward life, warm-heartedness, and unique music untainted by foreign influences in the folk songs of these regions and shared their significance with listeners.

A Lifelong Commitment: The Story of Dr. Kisu Song and His Impact on Korean Healthcare.

Dr. Kisu Song, an allopathic medical doctor specializing in general surgery, significantly impacted South Korean medicine and healthcare through his lifelong dedication to serving rural communities. Born on December 25, 1939, during the Japanese colonial period, Dr. Song witnessed the tumultuous transformation of Korea from a colonized nation to a divided one. His early life was marked by the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War and its aftermath, which influenced his decision to pursue medicine over law, a choice guided by the pressing needs of his community and his father's legacy. This biography explores Dr. Song's journey from a young student in a war-torn country to a pioneering rural physician in South Korea. His contributions, particularly in underserved areas, exemplify his profound commitment to healthcare and community service.

Exhuma: a Korean cultural paradox

ABSTRACT The Korean blockbuster film Exhuma (original title Pamyo) (2024) features several selling points that appeal to both audience and film reviewers. From these selling points, this review will focus on a dark side in Korean modern history: colonial remnants that should have been cleared away since the Liberation, but have still remained pretty much intact. Jae-hyun Jang, the director of Exhuma, approached the unresolved issue from the perspective of Korean shamanism, historically oppressed and marginalized, having lost its special function to help beings communicate, including human beings and higher beings. Chong-ho Kim (2003) calls the dominant ambivalence and complexity toward shamanism found in Korean society a ‘cultural paradox.’ The film Exhuma is an example of cultural paradox. It shows that clearing away the remnants of Japanese colonialism in Korea still has a long way to go, even 80 years after the Liberation.

일제강점기 산이름 표기변화의 조사 분석 및 의미 고찰

This study utilizes HGIS techniques to systematically analyze the changes in mountain placename notations during the Japanese colonial period, focusing on their historical, cultural, and social significance. From 1,160 placenames, 882 mountain placenames were examined, identifying 87 that experienced changes during the colonial period, with 25 still in use today. In-depth analysis of cases like Ilwolsan, Namdeogyusan, and Jeongbyeongsan reveals that these changes are closely tied to regional history, culture, and social dynamics, providing a foundation for future placename restoration and standardization efforts. However, the study is limited by its focus on “Jinsan” and “Jusan” mountain placenames and calls for further consideration of alternative and colloquial names. Despite these limitations, the research offers crucial data for understanding the historical significance of placenames during the Japanese colonial period. Future studies should address these limitations by collecting comprehensive data and analyzing various name types. The study contributes to developing a spatial database of mountain placenames, aiding national standardization efforts, and providing objective data for restoring mountain placenames altered during the colonial period.

Raising the Academic Authority of Clinical Experience: The Department of Internal Medicine at Keijo Imperial University and Its Periodical Imsangnaegwahak.

This paper examines the periodical Clinical Internal Medicine published by the Department of Internal Medicine at Keijo Imperial University in colonial Korea. Previous studies on medical research at Keijo Imperial University have primarily focused on preclinical departments such as anatomy, hygiene, pharmacology, and microbiology which produced knowledge that supported Japan's imperialistic expansion. This approach has overlooked the research contributions of clinical departments, often viewing the roles of preclinical and clinical departments through a dichotomy between research versus clinician training. However, Clinical Internal Medicine demonstrates that the Department of Internal Medicine at Keijo Imperial University was actively engaged in research. By analyzing the purpose and content of Clinical Internal Medicine, this paper reveals that its publication was an effort by the Department of Internal Medicine to address the demand for practical knowledge among clinicians practicing outside the university. At the same time, it reflects a commitment to enhancing the academic value of clinical experience and critiques the blind pursuit of experimental medicine in the Japanese medical community in the 1920s and 1930s. The case of the Department of Internal Medicine at Keijo Imperial University illustrates the transformation of clinical experience into "worthy" academic knowledge in colonial Korea. Based on these findings, this paper provides insights into the role of clinical departments at Keijo Imperial University in research and post-graduation education.