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Japan Rediscovers Its Korean Past
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/11/world/japan-rediscovers-its-korea...
Published in the New York Times (March 11, 2002), but very few people I meet these days are aware of (or recognize) that some Japanese have Korean ancestry....If you visiting/studying Korea or Far East Asia, this is an important piece (perhaps new) of information....
Any thoughts? comments?
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Early every morning, Tomonari Terada sets out with his father in his family's boat to fish in the rough, cobalt waters of the narrow strait named for this island that separates Japan from South Korea.
For Mr. Terada and the countless generations of Tsushima seamen who have plumbed these waters in search of tuna and snapper, rubbing shoulders with boats operated by Korean fathers and sons is so commonplace as to almost escape notice.
Like most of Tsushima's residents, Mr. Terada, 26, was completely unaware until recently of the extraordinary role that his hometown had played in the history of the two countries -- as a major steppingstone for immigrants, culture and trade.
''It is obvious that Korea is very close,'' he said, as he measured out new fishing lines by stretching lengths of filament between two stakes in the ground. ''I have even been to South Korea twice. But I've never heard anything about Japanese people coming from there.''
Recognition of Tsushima, and of Korea's importance as a contributor to Japan's early imperial history, however, recently received a huge and unexpected push from the highest of sources -- Emperor Akihito.
With a candor far removed from the usual poetic fog of the imperial court, Emperor Akihito, in remarks to the news media that took Japan by surprise in December, all but declared his own Korean ancestry.
Speaking of the culture and technology brought to Japan via Tsushima, Emperor Akihito said that ''it contributed greatly to Japan's subsequent development.'' Then, he added, ''I, on my part, feel a certain kinship with Korea,'' and went on to cite an ancient chronicle that says the grandmother of his eighth-century imperial ancestor, Kammu, was from a Korean kingdom.
In light of what most Japanese are taught about their history, Mr. Terada's lack of knowledge about the subject can easily be excused. Japan is said to produce the largest number of archaeologists per capita of any country, and one of their most popular pursuits is showing that the foundations of Japan's culture predate contact with Korea and China.
Until recently, most Japanese, in fact, were unaware of the existence of this heavily forested island, with its serpentine coves, near the southern end of the Korean peninsula, despite its important role in regional history -- from the birth of Japan as a nation, through the Middle Ages, when Tsushima was used as a stopover by invading Mongols, and by the Japanese during attacks on Korea.
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Replies to This Discussion | 이 토론에 대한 답글들
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Ronto on -
Conversely, most Koreans are unaware (or perhaps deny) of their Japanese ancestory. The who-came-from-where debate is known as the "Horserider" theory among East-Asian historians. The theory is highly contested by Korean and Japanese historians to finalize the answer of who influenced who first. Surely a learning webquest and surely a lively cocktail topic with M. Kim and/or M. Yamamoto with yourself in between both.
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Permalink Reply by Wally Nes on -
From what I remember reading up on Japanese history there was most definitely a Japanese society pre-dating contact with Korea or China.
The Jomon and the Ainu were the original inhabitants. What they've been trying to ascertain is that the subsequent empires we know about was an iteration of the development of these people. In case of the Ainu this is highly unlikely as they formed the unwanted caste for centuries, but there's some hope for the Jomon.
What you inevitably end up with is that there was contact with China and Korea.
Was there a culture exchange with those countries? Yes
Was there emigration among these countries? YesBut yes . . . . who was first, and do we care? For all the white people in the audience I'd like to put forward the theory that we were all sired at some point in our lineage by the invading Mongol hordes. As much fun an argument to make to white supremacists as the East-asian ancestry to Misters Kim or Yamamoto.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Ronto on
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Wally - "Who was first, and do we care?" Try asking this to serious historians of East-Asia, or even to a group of local businesmen in a local Korean hof. Not a light question on a culturallly sensitive topic.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Park on -
If we look back - way back (20,000~40,000 years ago) - to a period before there was the notion of what we know as nationalism, modern day language, territory and race, it is likely that people moved (migrated) from the main Asia "continent" to the "islands" of Japan - not the other way around.
In other words, and according to modern day theory, mankind started from out of Africa and then moved to various locations. Mankind did not originate from the islands of Japan and then move to the main continent of Euraisa and then move into Africa. However, the Japanese will never accept (teach in school) this point of view of the Man from Africa theory.
Fast forward to 1,500~2,000 years ago, the state (dynasty) Baekje has had very strong link with the ruling class of Japan during that era. If more and more people in East-Asia become aware that there are more similarities and commonalities between today's Korea, China and Japan - then there is more hope of "sustainable long-term peace" and potential improved cooperation (co-existance) in the East-Asia region. Do you agree / disagree?
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on -
Mike - As many will already know, I generally sympathize with the Korean view on things. But I have to say, I find myself wondering why it matters whether people got to Japan by way of Korea or whether they got there some other way. Perhaps if I was Korean, I'd think differently, but I don't quite understand the politics behind the issue. Is anyone disputing that there are similarities between Korea, China and Japan? Asking who got where first and how they influenced who next seems to create unnecessary contention.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Park on
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What is at issue is an old imperialist perspective of history which creates enormous gaps amongst people living in this region (East Asia).
For example, a widely accepted view of the progression of America's history is that a long-time ago, people crossed the Berings Straits to become native Americas. Then the Europeans came with Christopher Columbus (1492), fast forward a few hundreds years later and the United States was born (1776). People moved westward absorbs territories that had once belonged to the French and Spanards to become today's United States.
If you are coming from the West (Europe/Americas), you (or one) would naturally think that today's Japan was formed in a way where (for example), people moved to the islands by way of the continent. For instance, they entered/migrated into Japan from 3 different paths - one is from the North via what was called "Jesso, Yeso, Yezo, Ezo" (in the past) and from the South via the "Ryukyu, Lew Chew, Loo Choo, Lew Choo" and from the East which is now called the Korean Pennisula.
Jesso and Ryukyu (who had their own language and culture, by the way) only became a part of today's Japan during the 19th/20th century much like how there was China Proper and then Tibet, Manchuria, Mongolia and Xinjian (Uyghur) region which were later absorbed into what we know now as Mainland China (Taiwan never made it into this picture during the past century and still remains an independent state).
Here's the gap in our current discussion...have you ever asked a few Japanese where and how their history originates in relation to China and Korea? If you have asked this question, you will flip out (be amazed) at what type of answers they give; and agree with my view that they (wide majority of Japanese) strongly dispute any similarities. In fact, the Korean ancestry of Japan's emperor is not known to many Japanese which is why I bring this subject to the forefront of this forum.
The question is not to ask who got there first (as Wally had first brought out), and why they got there. The point is to promote commonality, community and cooperation via further understanding and sharing new found/released information so that differences can be overcome/reconciled. I think is point is consistent with the purpose of why Emperor Akihito released this information to his fellow-Japanese.
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on
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What kinds of responses would Japanese generally give if asked about their historical connection to China or Korea?
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Permalink Reply by Mike Park on
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This is difficult to generalize. Perhaps, and if I were to guess, it is likely that you will get 100 different answers, if you ask a hundred people. With this said, such a question is "culturally sensitive" as Stephen points out, and it will throw a lot of people outside their comfort zones.
My best answer will be that the majority of people will give you a blank stare, and question why you are asking this question without saying a word --- just by the look in their eyes/jesture/body language. They will be at a lost (never given it a real hard thought) for why you are asking this question.
With China, they will think about it and tell you that Buddism came from China. That's it - that's the end of the history lesson. As for Korea, and in recent/modern times, the Japanese went to Korea and gave a modern culture/civilization and liberate Koreans from their hardship and ignorance by introducing manufacturing and building roads/rail. That's it for the relationship with Korea.
If you find any other answers/response - it would be interesting to hear about them.
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on
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Would Koreans have more intelligent answers? It sounds like you're saying that Koreans are the most informed about the history of Asia, am I right? Perhaps, to a degree, since Koreans have learned about history the hard way many times.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Park on
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Korean are not the most informed and do not have more intelligent answers - every society (country) has their own bias (view of things).
Korea has a different view, the Chinese have a different view and Japan also has a different view - this is not a question of figuring out what is right/wrong.
The point here is that it is important to recognize that there is NO "single" common view that is shared by the 3 countries (and people of 3 countries).
If anything, I am saying that each country, scholars and citizens alike need to understanding why there are different views; and work toward peace - not confrontation.
From a doing business in Korea perspective, it is good not to mention how good the Japanese are doing in front of Koreans businessmen; it is not good to praise the Koreans in front of Chinese businessmen; and every other possible combination.
From a different angle, I am also saying that positive competition (cooperation, coexistance) between the 3 countries, will help keep ongoing social/economic prosperity in East Asia.
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on
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Oh, OK. Yes, indeed. It really is quite remarkable how different the views are of history in the different countries of Asia. For those not familiar with Asia, it's easy to lump countries and races together. It reminds me of the time my Mom asked me a question about Vietnam; I had no idea about the answer. She said she figured that since I lived in Korea, I probably knew a thing or two about Vietnam also. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Wally Nes on
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In Europe, royal family inter-marriage was the rule for centuries. I believe that every royal family in Europe outside of the Spanish is officially German. The Spanish one being French, of course.
If there is a Korean ancestor to the Japanese Imperial line, isn't there one the other way around as well?
With all the time that Korea has spent being invaded, by the Japanese, Mongols and Chinese, as well as with changing definitions of what Korea is there must have been a fair bit of influx of foreign blood.
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