‘Hitler’s right-hand man’ Richard Foerster and Nazi editor Peter Winkelnkemper enjoy Korean cuisine and kisaeng entertainment at a Seoul press banquet, May 11, 1939

It is May 11, 1939 between 7 and 9 p.m. at a high-end restaurant in colonial Seoul hosted a banquet honoring a Nazi German delegation led by Richard Foerster (1879-1952), who served as a leader in German-Japanese diplomacy after retiring from active naval service. In the photo, he appears at the center with his mouth open, a Korean kisaeng standing just behind him.  Sitting to Foerster's right, holding chopsticks, appears to be Peter Winkelnkemper (1902-1944), the editor-in-chief of Cologne Nazi newspaper Westdeutscher Beobachter.  

Original Caption: The newspaper delegation enjoying Korean cuisine. Delegation Head Richard Foerster is in the center.

Also in attendance were representatives from all the major newspapers of Korea, including the three main Korean language newspapers (Maeil Sinbo, Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo). The opening remarks were delivered by Choi Rin, president of Maeil Sinbo, who praised Imperial Japanese rule in Korea under the slogans “Japan-Korean unification,” and called for Japan and Germany to “smash” the Soviet Union. During the Korean War, Choi Rin would be abducted to North Korea, where he died in 1958. Dong-A-Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo would later be shut down by authorities in 1940, leaving Maeil Sinbo as the last remaining Korean-language newspaper in Korea.

The Nazi German guests were entertained by Kisaeng, or Korean female entertainers who sing, dance, play musical instruments and write poems to entertain upper-class men. In earlier times, their work did not necessarily always involve sexual service, but during Japanese colonial rule of Korea, they were more closely associated with sex work. By the 1940s, the vast majority were involved in prostitution. 

Adjacent to this article is another article introducing us to the German resident in Imperial Japan who volunteered to translate and guide the delegation: Carl Raymon, a German immigrant from Bohemia who settled in Hokkaido, Japan, married a local, and founded a sausage business that still exists to this day. Foerster helped out Raymon's business in 1928 when his warship docked in Hakodate and made big purchases of his meat products.

Japanese online biographies remember Raymon as a German artisan who loved Japan, developed livestock and meat-processing techniques, and suffered persecution and suspicion during the wartime period after his business was taken over by the authorities. However, this article portrays him as being in very good terms with Imperial Japanese and Nazi authorities: in Korea as an advisor to the colonial regime, and as a volunteer guide and translator for the Nazi delegation, while quoting him praising Foerster as the "right-hand man of Hitler". It goes to show that the popular legacy narrative about Raymon is incomplete and potentially sanitized.

The third article introduces Lieutenant General Kobayashi, who had befriended Foerster during the 1937 coronation naval review for King George VI and his subsequent visit to Germany.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), May 12, 1939

Relaxing Amid Korean Atmosphere
Japanese-German Fellowship of the Pen 
The Shared Mission of Serving their Nations Through Journalism
Welcome, Envoys of Our Allied Nation!

The German newspaper delegation, which entered Seoul on the 11th, attended a welcoming banquet that evening at Meigetsukan, hosted by representatives of the Keijō Nippō, Maeil Sinbo, Chōsen Shimbun, Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, Osaka Asahi Shimbun Korea Edition, Osaka Mainichi Shimbun Korea Edition, and Dōmei News Agency, where they engaged in a warm fellowship of pens between Japan and Germany.

At Meigetsukan, which served as the venue for the evening, the grand entrance and the path leading to the banquet hall were beautifully decorated with the Japanese Rising Sun and swastika flags to welcome the party. The fellowship of pens between Japan and Germany began with a powerful welcoming address by President Choi Rin (최린, 崔麟) of the Maeil Sinbo, representing the hosts:

“It is an honor to welcome newspaper envoys from our dear allied nation Germany to the Korean peninsula amid the Holy War. The governance of the Korean peninsula is founded on the spirit of impartial benevolence and Japanese-Korean unification, and the Korean peninsula today is becoming increasingly important as a central axis in the construction of the New Order in East Asia. At such a time, it is truly the most gratifying occasion to welcome here the representatives of the press organs of our allied Germany, which is advancing toward the construction of a New Order in Europe, and for East and West to respond to one another in smashing, with the pen, the red Soviet Union: the enemy of world peace.”

The toasts were then exchanged. Next, as representative of the delegation, Deputy Delegation Head Peter Winkelnkemper, editor-in-chief of the Westdeutscher Beobachter, rose briskly to applause and gave the following impassioned reply:

“We are grateful for the heartfelt welcome extended by all levels of Japanese society, public and private, and this visit to Korea has deepened that feeling all the more. The true value of this spiritual peninsula could be fully understood from the heartfelt welcome shown to us on our journey from Busan to Seoul. This evening, too, I am pleased to have the honor of attending this banquet hosted by the representatives of Seoul’s newspapers and news agencies. Sharing the same mission of serving the nation through journalism, let us take up the sword of culture that we possess, crush communism from its roots, and advance straight ahead toward the construction of a New World Order.”

With this forceful and passionate response, he pledged righteous anti-communism bound together by the pen, deeply moving those in attendance. Cups of friendship between Japan and Germany were exchanged over rare Korean cuisine and drinks poured by kisaeng. Thus, the banquet of Japanese-German cultural fellowship, especially meaningful amid the Holy War, came to a successful close shortly after 9 p.m.

That evening, the delegation was completely captivated by the exotic atmosphere: the vivid colors they were seeing for the first time, the distinctive fragrance, the neat and graceful costumes of the kisaeng, and more. In particular, when they witnessed the kisaeng’s skillful performance of classical Korean dance, the members of the delegation repeatedly exclaimed in unison, “Sehr schön!” — meaning “very splendid!” — praising the traditional dance handed down from ancient Korea.

[Photo caption: The newspaper delegation enjoying Korean cuisine. Delegation Head Richard Foerster is in the center.]

Delegation Head Richard Foerster Is the Führer’s Right-Hand Man
Pro-Japanese Mr. Raymon Speaks

Carl Raymon (46-years-old) is a pro-Japanese German who serves as an advisor to the Livestock Section of the Government-General of Korea. Twenty years ago, he was invited to Japan as a livestock engineer and worked toward the development of Hokkaidō. Three years ago, he became an advisor to the Government-General and came to Korea.

Upon learning that Delegation Head Richard Foerster, his great senior and old acquaintance, had entered Seoul, Raymon hurried back from Harbin. On the morning of May 11th, after consulting with Yoshifuchi, an official of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Government-General, Engineer Carl Raymon volunteered to serve as guide for the delegation during their stay in Seoul.

Engineer Raymon is a great pro-Japanese figure. Sixteen years ago, he married Yūko, the daughter of Mr. Katsuta, head of the Hakodate fire brigade. He now has two children, Finny, age five, and Alice, age four. In this way, he is a true practitioner of friendship between Japan and Germany.

Speaking in fluent Japanese, he described his excitement at the arrival of the newspaper delegation:

“Richard Foerster is truly a splendid man. He served as Hitler’s right-hand man and devoted himself to the construction of Germany. He is not someone who is superficial when it comes to diplomacy. Moreover, he is a man who has understanding and respect for Japan.

“Because of the European war, there was a time when friendship between Japan and Germany was broken. That was during the war — twelve years ago now. For the purpose of rebuilding Japanese-German friendship, he visited Japan. At that time, he also came to Hokkaidō, and I served as his guide and liaison.”

[Photo: Engineer Raymon]

O Friend of the Sea
Lieutenant General Kobayashi Comes from Afar, Eager to Revisit His Old Acquaintance, Delegation Head Foerster

“Oh, my dear old friend of the sea from two years ago!” Welcoming the arrival of the newspaper delegation from our allied nation Germany in the Korean peninsula, the person joyfully awaiting reunion with the words, “Oh, my dear old friend of the sea from two years ago,” is Lieutenant General Kobayashi Sōnosuke, commander of the Jinhae (진해, 鎭海) Naval Station.

In May of the year before last, Lieutenant General Kobayashi, then a rear admiral, served as the commander when he accompanied the cruiser Ashigara as the representative of the Imperial Japanese Navy to the unprecedentedly grand ceremony of the coronation of His Majesty King George VI of Britain. At the coronation fleet review held off Spithead, he flew the Imperial warship flag and magnificently displayed the imposing dignity of the Japanese Navy.

During his visit to Germany, Kobayashi formed a friendship with Admiral Richard Foerster, head of the delegation now visiting Korea, and the two exchanged a firm handshake of friendship between the Japanese and German navies. For Admiral Foerster himself, the one old acquaintance whom he would meet in this foreign land is none other than Lieutenant General Kobayashi.

Upon learning on May 11th that the delegation had entered Seoul, Lieutenant General Kobayashi left Jinhae as if flying and unexpectedly appeared in Seoul that evening, entering his familiar inn, Tenshinrō. On the eve of the long-awaited meeting, a reporter visited him at his lodging, where he spoke as follows about his joy after not having seen him in a long time:

“I wanted to see him again as soon as possible. Fortunately, tomorrow I will be able to meet him at the Governor-General’s residence at Waeseongdae (왜성대, 倭城臺) for the first time in some while, and I am very pleased.

“Admiral Foerster has now retired from active service, but despite his advanced age, he is more vigorous than ever. Even now, his name shines brightly as a great hope of the German Navy. At present, he occupies the important positions of president of the Japan-Germany Association and president of the Japan-Germany Cultural Association, and he has devoted himself completely, body and soul, to friendship between Japan and Germany.

“Had the schedule permitted, I would very much have liked him to see Jinhae. It is truly regrettable that we will have only a brief conversation.

“In particular, the Admiral’s character is the very picture of solemn integrity. One can strongly perceive in him the bearing of an old warrior. Admiral Foerster’s personality itself is a manifestation of the Nazi spirit.”

[Photo: Lieutenant General Kobayashi at ease in Tenshinrō, speaking of his joy.]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1939年5月12日

朝鮮情緒に寛ぐ
日独ペンの交驩
新聞報国の使命も同じく
ようこそ盟邦の使節

十一日入城したドイツ新聞使節団一行は当夜明月館に開かれた京城日報、毎日新報、朝鮮新聞、東亜日報、朝鮮日報、大朝、大毎、同盟通信社代表の歓迎宴に臨んで親しく日独ペン交驩を行った。この夜会場に当てられた明月館では大玄関から交驩宴場に至るまで日の丸とハーケンクロイツ旗をもって美しく飾り立て一行を迎えた日独ペン交驩の杯は先ず主催側代表：

崔毎新社長の：聖戦下半島にわが親愛なる明邦ドイツから新聞使節をお迎えすることは光栄である。半島統治は即ち一視同仁、内鮮一体の精神であって現下の半島は興亜新秩序建設の枢軸として益々重要である。かかる時欧州新秩序建設に邁進しつつある明邦ドイツの言論機関代表をここに迎えて東西相呼応して世界平和の敵赤色ソ聯をペンで打砕くということはまことに欣快事である。

の力強い歓迎挨拶に始まってとりかわされ、続いて使節団側代表としてウェストドイツチュル・ベオバハター主筆、ペーター・ウィンケルンケムパー副団長が拍手を浴びてサッと起立：

私共は日本朝野を挙げての心からの歓迎を感謝しているが、この朝鮮訪問に当って一層その感を深めた。精神半島の真価は釜山から京城へ来るまでの心を映しての歓迎振りで充分察知することが出来た。今夕はまた京城新聞、通信各代表者の招宴に列する光栄を得たことは嬉しい。新聞報国の使命を同じくするわれわれはわれわれの持つ文化の剣を執って共産主義を根底から叩きつぶして世界新秩序の建設に向って一路進撃しようではありませんか。

と力強く熱情溢るる答辞を述べてペンで結ぶ正義防共を誓って参列者の感激を集め、珍しい朝鮮料理と妓生のお酌で日独親善の酒杯をやりとりして聖戦下意義ひとしお深い日独文化交驩の宴を同夜九時過ぎ盛況裡に閉じたが当夜一行ははじめて見る鮮烈な色彩と特有のかおり、清楚な妓生の衣裳等々にすっかり異国情緒に魅せられ、殊に妓生の妙技朝鮮古典舞踊には一行口を揃えて『ゼヤーシェーン』（素晴らしいの意味）を連発してその朝鮮古来伝統の舞を讃美していた。

【朝鮮料理に舌鼓を打つ新聞使節、中央がフエ団長】

フエ団長は総統の片腕
親日家レ氏談

本府畜産課嘱託をしている親日家独逸人カール・レイモン氏（四六）は二十年前畜産技師として招聘を受け北海道の開発に努力した人だが、三年前本府の嘱託となり来鮮したもので、今度大先輩で旧知の間柄であるフェルスター団長の入城を知るやハルビンから飛んで帰り十一日午前中吉淵本府外務部事務官と相談の上一行の滞城中の案内役を買って出たカール・レイモン技師は大いの親日家で今から十六年前函館の消防組頭勝田氏の令嬢ユウ子さんと結婚。今ではフィニーさん（五つ）アリスさん（四つ）の二児を設けている程の日独親善の実行家である。同氏は鮮やかな日本語で新聞使節団入城の感激を語った。

『リハルド・フェルスターさんは実に立派な人で、ヒトラーさんの右腕となって独逸建設に尽くした人です。余り外交の表面には起たない人です。それに日本に理解と尊敬を持っている人です。欧州戦争のため一時日本と独逸の親善が破れたことがありましたので、戦争即ち今から十二年前でした。日独親善の建直しのため日本を訪れました。その時北海道にも来られたので、私が案内役と連絡係をやりました』

【写真＝レイモン技師】

おお海の友よ
遥々と旧知のフエ団長を訪ね
再会を喜ぶ小林中将

明邦ドイツ新聞使節団を半島に迎えて『オー懐かしき二年前の海の友よ』とよろこびその再会を楽しく待っている人は鎮海要港部司令官小林宗之助中将である。

中将は一昨年五月曠古の盛典たる英国皇帝ジョージ六世陛下の戴冠式に帝国海軍代表として『足柄』に便乗スピットヘッド沖で行われた戴冠奉祝観艦式に帝国軍艦旗を掲げて堂々たる日本海軍の威容を発揮した時の司令官（当時少将）で、今回来朝した使節団長リハルド・フェルスター海軍大将とはドイツ訪問の際親交を結び日独海軍親善の固い握手を交わしたことがあるので当のフェルスター大将とても異郷で逢う旧知といえばひとり小林中将である。

小林中将は十一日一行の入城を知るや鎮海を飛ぶように立ってその夜ひょっこり京城へ姿を現わしてお馴染みの旅館天真楼へ入ったが、懐かしい今日の会見を前にその前夜宿舎を訪れた記者に”嬉しい久闊の感”を次ぎの如く語る。

一日も早く逢いたかった。幸い明日倭城台総督官邸でしばらく振りでお逢い出来るので嬉しい。フェルスター大将は只今では現役を退いておられますが老齢益々御壮健でいまなおドイツ海軍の大ホープとしてその名声は光り輝いている。現在も日独協会長、日独文化協会長の重要なる位置におられ日独親善には全く身命を捧げて尽くされています。日程さえ許されば是非とも鎮海を見ていただきたいとおもっていましたのに、ほんのひとときの会談では実際残念です。殊に大将のお人柄は謹厳そのもの古武士の面影が深く看取されフェルスター大将の人格そのままナチス精神の現れであります。

【写真＝天真楼で寛いでのよろこびを語る小林中将】

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea

See also:

• In May 1939, a Nazi German newspaper delegation toured colonial Korea and was welcomed in Seoul with swastika flags, shrine visits, and official receptions (link)

In May 1939, a Nazi German newspaper delegation toured colonial Korea and was welcomed in Seoul with swastika flags, shrine visits, and official receptions

 These news articles document a high-profile world tour by a Nazi German newspaper delegation which visited Korea (Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Seoul) on May 11-12, 1939 after visiting mainland Japan for about two weeks. There were about 13 members led by Richard Foerster (1879-1952), who served as a leader in German-Japanese diplomacy after retiring from active naval service. Accompanying him was Peter Winkelnkemper (1902-1944), a prominent Nazi journalist who was editor-in-chief of Cologne Nazi newspaper Westdeutscher Beobachter. Winkelnkemper would later be appointed Oberbürgermeister of Cologne on January 4, 1941, where he would remain before dying of a heart attack in 1944.

The German newspaper delegation arrives at Seoul Station on May 11, 1939.

The newspaper went to the unusual trouble of printing the front page with red ink to depict both the Rising Sun flag and the Nazi swastika flag, underscoring how exceptional and ceremonial the occasion was.

This post covers only the front-page reporting on the Nazi delegation’s visit to colonial Korea. Additional articles and photos related to the visit appear deeper in the newspaper, and I plan to transcribe, translate, and post those separately as time permits. One article covers the delegation’s political discussions at the Army Commander’s official residence. Another provides extensive coverage of a question-and-answer session between Richard Foerster and Korean elementary school students, in which the children ask about Nazi Germany and Foerster responds by explaining Hitler’s teachings before leading them in a Heil Hitler salute. There is also a substantial article on the 7:00 p.m. banquet hosted by the Seoul press corps, where the delegation was toasted, dined, and entertained with traditional dance and musical performances by Korean kisaeng (comfort women). I will post these materials as time allows.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) May 12, 1939

Welcome!

German Newspaper Delegation from Our Allied Nation
Lavishly praising a Korea that is surging forward
They entered Seoul amid a storm of cheers
Immediately visit the shrine, the Government-General, and other sites

The delegation of German newspaper representatives sent to Japan by Hitler, leader of Germany, our allied nation—thirteen members under delegation head Richard Foerster (with Herrn Walter and Rudolf Weisse remaining in mainland Japan)—had, since landing at Yokohama on April 27, toured various cities in mainland Japan. Confronted with the true state of Japan displaying a spirit burning under “Holy War,” they opened their eyes in amazement at Japan's strength and, raising voices of trust and joy, cried, “Oh, our friends!”

Having completed their itinerary in mainland Japan, they arrived at Busan at 6:00 a.m. on May 11th aboard the ferry Kongō Maru, where they were welcomed in good spirits by waves of the two countries’ flags filling the pier.

As the landscape of the Korean peninsula, full of youthful vigor, appeared through the train windows, they repeatedly exclaimed in admiration, and at 1:35 p.m. they entered Seoul on the Akatsuki train. Amid a storm of cheers from those filling the station platform—representatives of the Government-General, newspaper companies, and various organizations—they repeatedly said “Thank you,” then went directly from the station to pay their respects at Chōsen Shrine. They then visited Acting Governor-General Minami’s representative, Director of Political Affairs Ōno, at the Government-General, and at 2:50 p.m., after paying a call at Changdeok Palace, proceeded to the residence of the Commander of the Korean Army.

Nothing but cheers and waves of flags
A pictorial scroll of friendship on the Busan wharf

Bound firmly by a pledge of anti-communism that reaches to the heavens, the Nazi press delegation from our allied nation, having journeyed from afar to verdant Japan, with delegation head Foerster and thirteen members in all, completed a two-week itinerary in mainland Japan and, together with Chairman Ichige and accompanying officials, landed at Busan on the morning of May 11th at 6:00 a.m. from the Shimonoseki–Busan ferry Kongō Maru.

That morning, the sky over Busan welcoming the delegation was fresh beneath the lightly overcast early-summer breeze, and even the flocks of seagulls darting about seemed especially beautiful. It was a perfect day for welcoming the delegation.

At 5:40 a.m., as the Kongō Maru carrying the party came into view in the harbor, the welcoming group waiting on the bridge burst into cheers. Already the lively flags of German-Japanese friendship were being waved—swastika flags and Rising Sun flags—and the party on the upper deck responded with the Nazi salute, creating what the article depicts as a heartwarming scene of friendship.

Then, at 6:00 a.m., when the massive Kongō Maru drew alongside the pier, the delegation head and the others descended the gangway, passed beneath crossed Japanese and German national flags, and, responding to the storm of welcome, proceeded to the second platform. There, rows of students from various schools, numerous representatives of different organizations, and many officials and civilians, all lined up and eagerly awaiting the party’s boarding, showered these unusual guests from a friendly allied nation with cheers of welcome. Waves of flags were furiously waved, and the station front roared with joy, unfolding a dramatic pictorial scroll of German-Japanese friendship. At 6:50 a.m., cutting through the early-summer morning, they boarded a first-class carriage of the Akatsuki train. Sent off by swelling cheers and a tempest of flags, the party then headed straight for Seoul.

“The party is full of energy”
Escort committee chairman speaks

Mr. Kōzō Ichige, consul-general and chairman of the escort committee accompanying the German newspaper delegation, spoke as follows on the Busan pier regarding the movements and condition of the party:

"I believe it is a very gratifying thing that the closeness of friendship between the Japanese and German peoples has been drawing nearer day by day since the delegation’s arrival in Korea. At the banquet in Osaka in particular, scenes of friendship were displayed in a very natural way. The members of the party themselves never seemed to feel that they were among strangers; rather, they appeared throughout to feel as though they were among friends and relatives. In this respect, I believe this visit has been a success of a kind not seen in previous delegations.

All the members are in good health, and despite the short schedule and the lack of rest days, they are more energetic than ever and are enthusiastically determined to gain a full understanding of Korea, Manchuria, and North China."

Deeply impressed by the martial spirit
Mr. Winkelnkemper, vice head of delegation, speaks on behalf of the delegation

Representing the delegation as a whole, Mr. Peter Winkelnkemper, vice head of the delegation and editor-in-chief of the Westdeutscher Beobachter, spoke to the Busan newspaper reporters in the observation car of the Akatsuki train after the Nazi newspaper delegation ceremonially set foot in Busan. He gave the following impressions:

"During our approximately two-week stay in mainland Japan, we members of the German newspaper delegation received extremely deep impressions and inspiration from all kinds of places and all levels of society. This was because the Information Department of the Japanese Foreign Ministry arranged our itinerary with the utmost care and precision for our benefit. Thanks to this, we were able to gain a very favorable impression and to come to understand the present condition of Japan, which is truly a matter of great satisfaction for us.

Of course, among the favorable impressions from our visit to Japan, there is one that we can never forget for the rest of our lives: we were granted the awe-inspiring honor of an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty bestowed upon us exceedingly gracious kindness and words of benevolence, and also addressed us on various matters concerning the promotion of German-Japanese friendship. This is something that moved us beyond all expression. His Majesty also, in His graciousness, extended His august concern to our journey, and at His repeated words the entire party was filled with reverent awe and deep emotion.

The impressions we received in the principal cities of Japan that we visited during these two weeks—Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe, and others—were also extremely favorable. To summarize those impressions briefly, we were able to see that throughout Japan there was a vigorous and spirited will overflowing among the Japanese people; in particular, there was the great vitality of Japan and the fact that the people were united and working together under His Majesty the Emperor. Furthermore, the country was filled with a martial spirit, and Japanese culture was outstandingly refined.

This culture, we feel, is one in which Japan’s traditional culture of ancient origin has very skillfully incorporated modern culture and harmonized it. This made one of the deepest impressions on us. We were especially struck as well by the lively spirit and organization of the youth.

I should also like to add a word about Japan’s martial spirit. During our stay we inspected two or three institutions, among them the Akeno Army Flying School and the Naval Academy at Kure. At both of these schools, all of us recognized the manifestation of the martial spirit and of a reverent and self-sacrificing spirit of unity and cooperation under His Majesty the Emperor, and we were deeply impressed and newly astonished.

Another thing that left a deep impression on us was the fact that in every quarter in Japan—among all sorts of organizations, officials and private citizens, and the general public alike—we were welcomed on a nationwide basis. Everywhere, the swastika flag and the Japanese national flag were raised for us, and for this we cannot be sufficiently grateful.

Today our party has set foot in Korea for the first time, and I ask that through your newspaper you convey to the people of Korea our profound gratitude.

Although our stay will be short, we intend to remain in Korea for a time, inspect Manchuria and North China, and then return to our country. Finally, I wish sincerely to express our gratitude for the fact that from early in the morning so many people—schoolchildren first among them, together with official and civilian organizations alike—came to give us so magnificent a welcome."

Welcome and Send-off in Daegu

[Telephone report from Daegu] The German newspaper delegation passed through Daegu northbound on the express train Akatsuki, which arrived at 8:42 a.m. On the station platform, Governor Kōtaki of North Gyeongsang Province, Daegu Mayor Furuichi, other representatives from official and civilian circles, and local newspaper reporters — about 500 people in all — were on hand to greet them, enthusiastically cheering “Banzai” in welcome and farewell. During the five-minute stop, Governor Kōtaki delivered words of welcome, and Mayor Furuichi presented three baskets of apples. In response, a representative of the German newspaper delegation offered a polite greeting.

Welcome and Send-off in Daejeon

[Telephone report from Daejeon] The express train Akatsuki, carrying both the visiting German newspaper delegation and the delegation of child representatives from all over Korea traveling to Ise Shrine, slid into Daejeon Station on May 11th at the scheduled time of 11:03 a.m. The platform was filled with representatives of schools and various organizations, along with Governor Jong Gyo-won (정교원, 鄭僑源) of South Chungcheong Province. After exchanging a firm handshake with Governor Jong on the platform, delegation head Richard Foerster encouraged the eight child representatives from South Chungcheong Province and North Chungcheong Province who were getting off at Daejeon, saying, “What splendid children you are! When you grow up, you must become prime ministers.”

Arrival at Seoul Station

The members of the German newspaper delegation arrived on the Akatsuki train at 1:35 p.m. on May 11th. Led by delegation head Admiral Richard Foerster, they stepped down at rain-swept Seoul Station, their imposing physiques wrapped in raincoats amid the steady May drizzle. On that day, the head of police affairs for Gyeonggi Province and many officials and civilians of Seoul waved the Japanese Rising Sun and the German swastika flag high overhead and shouted “Banzai,” to which the delegates responded with a quick raising of the right hand in salute. The delegation then exchanged firm handshakes with President Hayami of Seoul Imperial University and Mr. Hupper, lecturer in the Seoul Imperial University preparatory course, after which they passed through the station’s VIP room under a fierce barrage of flashes from newspaper photographers. Without even pausing to rest, they divided among the automobiles waiting outside the station and, as they proceeded through the rain toward Chōsen Shrine, they were greeted all along Namdaemun by elementary schoolchildren waving flags and crying “Banzai.”

Visit to Chōsen Shrine

Having entered the city in the rain and leaving behind the storm of cheers at Seoul Station, the German newspaper delegation drove in a line of automobiles through city streets decorated with the national flags of Japan and Germany, heading straight for Chōsen Shrine. The thirteen members, led by the delegation chief, arrived at the shrine at 1:50 p.m., where they were met by Chief Priest Achiwa. After resting briefly at the shrine office, the delegation proceeded at 2:00 p.m., composed and formal in bearing, to pay their respects at the shrine. Gazing down upon the majestic expanse of Greater Seoul, blurred in the rain below, they reportedly exclaimed in admiration, “This truly is the capital of the Korean peninsula, the base of the axis for the rejuvenation of Asia,” before departing to pay a visit to the Government-General.

The Delegation Visits the Government-General
Handshake with the Governor-General’s Political Affairs Chief

After completing their visit to Chōsen Jingū, the members of the German newspaper delegation, guided by Mr. Yoshimitsu, secretary in the Foreign Affairs Department of the Government-General, visited the Government-General office at 2:20 p.m. on the 11th. The twelve delegates, led by delegation head Foerster, went directly into the office of the Director of Political Affairs, where, in the presence of Acting Chief of Police Affairs Itō, head of the Police Affairs Section, and Nobuhara, head of the Documents Section, Director of Political Affairs Ōno and delegation head Foerster exchanged a dramatic, firm handshake symbolizing Japanese-German friendship.

"Director of Political Affairs Ōno and delegation head Foerster exchanged a dramatic, firm handshake symbolizing Japanese-German friendship."

After this, delegation head Foerster, speaking on behalf of the delegation, offered the formal greeting for the delegation’s arrival in Korea, saying: “Today we have entered the capital. I hope that we may be shown every aspect of the New Rising Korea.”

In response, Director Ōno, speaking on behalf of the staff of the Government-General, replied in substance: “Despite the rain, you have come a great distance to visit us, for which we warmly welcome you. The Korean people have been sincerely awaiting Your Excellency and your delegation’s visit to Korea. A modest luncheon has been arranged at noon on the 12th, and I ask that you attend. At that time, I hope we may have the opportunity to hear your views on many matters.”

With that, the party departed the Government-General at 2:50 p.m. and headed for Changdeok Palace in order to sign the visitors’ register.

Praise for the Japanese Spirit
Delegation Head Foerster Speaks in the Train Car

When this news journalist visited the train car carrying the newspaper delegation from Germany, our ally, and conveyed on behalf of this newspaper our welcome to the delegation, Mr. Foerster — a solidly built man who called to mind a naval officer — thanked us for our courtesy as the head of the delegation. Although he was said already to be sixty years old, he seemed remarkably vigorous for someone who had been traveling such a long distance. He then spoke of his impressions as follows:

“We have come as a cultural mission, and so we have not paid very much attention to outward facilities such as railways or telegraph systems. What has instead been deeply impressed upon our minds is the extraordinary spiritual intensity that Japan displays.

I visited Japan once thirty-six years ago, and then again twelve years ago aboard the Emden. At that time it was just after the Great Kantō Earthquake, and Japan was in the midst of strenuous efforts to absorb the culture of Europe and America. At the time, I harbored a certain needless anxiety that, if this development continued as it was, it might someday bring about a great upheaval between Japan’s own traditional culture and the foreign culture it was adopting.

And yet, on this visit, I have seen that all the outside culture once imported by Japan has been wholly Japanized, and that, through the vigorous strength of the Japanese people as a nation, and through their national worth and virtues, foreign civilization has not merely been adopted but has been transcended and absorbed back into Japan’s own native culture. Seeing this, I have been struck with amazement at the assimilative power of the Japanese spirit.

Another thing that has especially impressed me is how thoroughly Japan’s youth are educated. One feels, through Japan’s own martial ways such as kendo and judo, how strong is the awareness among the young that they are to devote themselves wholly to the nation, and how their spirit seems almost to pierce the heavens.

And what has been for us the highest possible honor was to be granted an audience with His Majesty the Emperor and to have the privilege of attending the military review on the Emperor’s Birthday. In the faces of the military men there appeared a burning passion for the military nation, and a pure expression of a kind one could fully trust. I felt that this was truly the manifestation of the spirit of the Japanese soldier. In that spirit there was plainly visible an untainted beauty, and I felt deeply the strength of the Japanese soldiery under the Emperor.

We also paid our respects at Yasukuni Shrine, where we saw tens of thousands of people, including women and children, earnestly bowing their heads before the heroic spirits who died in defense of the nation. What I felt there was not sorrow, but a solemn and proud sense that this was an honor belonging to the Japanese nation, and this filled me with profound respect.”

Recorded at the Moment: Welcoming the German Newspaper Delegation

• The members of the delegation have already inspected various parts of the Japanese mainland and should by now have seen Japan as it truly is.
• There is no need now to put on any special display and say to them, “Please look at the peninsula in this way.”
• There is only one thing that must not escape notice: that in this time of national emergency, Korea too, as one important wing of Japan, is pressing forward in the sacred enterprise of advancing Asia.
• Members of the delegation, come, see, and return home with your impressions formed through eyes that are free and candid.
• On that same day, the children’s delegation returning from pilgrimage to Ise also comes home. And with what souvenir have they filled their travel bags?
• Surely it is this: that they have become splendid and strong subjects of Japan.

Itinerary of the German Newspaper Delegation

May 11th, 1939

• 1:35 p.m. Arrive at Seoul Station
• 1:45 p.m. Depart Seoul Station
• 1:50 p.m. Visit Chōsen Shrine
• 2:10 p.m. Depart Chōsen Shrine
• 2:20 p.m. Visit the Government-General Building
• 2:40 p.m. Depart the Government-General Building
• 2:50 p.m. Pay respects at Changdeok Palace
• 3:10 p.m. Depart Changdeok Palace
• 3:25 p.m. Visit the Army Commander’s official residence
• 3:45 p.m. Depart the Army Commander’s official residence
• 4:00 p.m. Arrive at the Chōsen Hotel (meeting with Seoul-based newspaper reporters; motion-picture screening)
• 6:50 p.m. Depart the hotel
• 7:00 p.m. Banquet hosted by the Seoul press corps at Meigetsukan
• 9:10 p.m. Return to the hotel

May 12th, 1939

• 9:00 a.m. Depart the hotel
• 9:40 a.m. Arrive at the Volunteer Training Center for inspection
• 11:00 a.m. Arrive at Kyodong Elementary School for inspection
• 11:35 a.m. Observe the Yi Royal Household Court Music Division
• 12:00 p.m. Arrive at the Governor-General’s official residence (luncheon hosted by the Director of Political Affairs)
• 2:00 p.m. Depart the Governor-General’s official residence
• 2:10 p.m. Arrive at the hotel
• 3:05 p.m. Depart the hotel
• 3:15 p.m. Arrive at Seoul Station
• 3:20 p.m. Depart Seoul Station for Manchuria

Photo: German newspaper delegation enters Seoul. Top: Arrival at Seoul Station; Bottom: Delegation head Foerster shakes hands with the Director of Political Affairs 

[Transcription]

京城日報 1939年5月12日

歓迎
盟邦ドイツ新聞使節団
躍進朝鮮を絶讃
歓呼の嵐に埋れ入城
直に神宮参拝本府其他訪問

盟邦独逸のヒトラー総統が、独の言論界を総動員して我国へおくった訪日独逸新聞使節団団長以下十三名は（ヴァルター、ルドルフ・ヴァイゼ両氏は内地に滞留）さる四月二十七日横浜上陸以来内地各都市を視察。聖戦下燃ゆるような意気をみせている日本の真の姿にその力強さに驚嘆の眼をみはり『おおわが友よ』と信頼と喜びの声をあげ、内地における視察日程を終って十一日午前六時釜山入港の連絡船『金剛丸』で桟橋を埋めつくした両国旗の波に迎えられ元気で釜山上陸。

車窓に映ずる若人半島の姿に、感嘆詞を連発しながら午後一時三十五分『あかつき』で入城。本府をはじめ新聞社、各団体等駅頭を埋めて迎える歓呼の嵐に『ありがとう』を連発しながら駅から直ちに朝鮮神宮に参拝。本府に南総督代理大野政務総監を訪問、同二時五十分昌徳宮に伺候したのち朝鮮軍司令官官邸に向った。

ただ歓呼と旗の波
釜山埠頭の交驩絵巻

天に結ぶ防共の誓いも固くはるばる青葉の日本を訪れた明邦ナチスの訪日新聞使節フェルスター団長以下十三名の一行は二週間に亘る内地の日程を了へ、市毛委員長以下随員と共に十一日午前六時入港の関釜連絡船『金剛丸』で釜山に上陸第一歩を印した。

この朝一行を迎える釜山の空は、朝曇の初夏の薫風にすがすがしく、飛び交うかもめの群も一層美しい。使節を迎えるに適しい歓迎日和である。

午前五時四十分一行を乗せた『金剛丸』は港内にその姿を見せるやブリッヂに待構えた歓迎陣はドッとばかり歓呼。早くも賑やかな日独交驩の旗を打振るハーケンクロイツ、日章旗の歓迎に上甲板の一行はナチス式の礼を以てこれに応えほほえましい親善風景を拡げる。

かくて午前六時『金剛丸』の巨体が桟橋に横着けとなるや団長以下タラップを降り交叉した日独大国旗を潜って、歓迎の嵐に応えつつ第二ホームに至るや整列して一行の乗車を待ち侘びている各学校生徒各種団体官民多数の歓迎陣は友邦の珍客ようこそと歓呼を浴びせ、打ちふる旗の波、喜びにどよめく駅頭は劇的な日独親善の交驩絵巻を繰展げ、六時五十年初夏の朝を切って『あかつき』一等車に乗車。一行は巻き起こる歓呼と旗の嵐に送られて一路京城に向った。

一行は張り切っております
随伴委員長語る

ドイツ新聞使節団の随伴委員長総領事市毛孝三氏は一行の動静について釜山桟橋で次の如く語った。
日独両国民の親善の距離が一行の来朝以来日に日に接近しつつあることは一行が特に認めたところで非常に喜ばしいことであると思います。殊に大阪における晩餐会では非常に親善の情景を而も自然に発揮していました。一行としても他人の中に入った気持はなく友達、親戚の中にいる様な気持で終始していた様で此点従来の団に例を見なかった成功だと信じています。

一行は皆健康で短時日、しかも休養のない日程にもかかわらず益々元気一杯で朝鮮、満州、北支の十分な認識を得たいと張り切って居ります。

尚武の魂に感銘
一行を代表ヴ副団長談

釜山に晴れの上陸第一歩を印したナチスの新聞使節として一行を代表し、副団長バーター・ヴィンケムバー氏（ヴェストドイツチュルベオバハター主筆）は『あかつき』展望車内で釜山新聞記者団に対し次ぎの如く感想を語った。

我等独逸新聞使節一行は約二週間の日本、内地の滞在でその間各種各層に亘って非常に深き印象と感銘を受けました。これは我らのために日本外務省情報部がその日程を細密に行届いた様に樹てられたので、そのおかげで非常に良い印象を得、日本の現状を知ることが出来ましたことは洵に喜びにたえぬ所であります。

勿論この訪日好印象は我々終生忘れることが出来ない畏れ多くも、聖上陛下に拝謁を賜わりました。陛下は非常なる御厚意と御親切なる御言葉を我々に賜わり日独親善の増進関係にも色々御言葉を賜わりましたことは我々の洵に感激措く能わざる所であります。陛下にはなお御親切にも我々の旅行に御聖慮を垂れさせられ、重ね重ねの御言葉に一行は恐懼感激しておる次第であります。

我々がこの二週間に廻った東京、大阪、名古屋、奈良、京都、神戸等の日本各主要都市において受けた印象も非常に良かった。その印象をざっと申し上げますと、日本各地に於いて日本国民が元気溌剌たる意志が漲っていることを認められたことで特に日本の生活力の旺盛と国民の天皇陛下の御許に一致共同しておるということ。更に尚武の精神に満ち満ちており、又日本の文化が非常に優れた点であります。

この文化は日本古来の伝統的文化に近代文化を洵に巧に採り入れ、これを調節した文化であって我々の最も深い印象であります。特に又青少年の溌剌たる意気と組織というものに感銘したのであります。

ここで付言したいのは日本の尚武の精神で、我々も滞在中二、三の施設中明野陸軍飛行学校、呉の海軍兵学校を見学しましたが、この両校でも尚武の精神と、天皇陛下の御許に一致協力する敬神的、犠牲的精神の発露を一同認めて我々は非常に感銘し、新たなる驚嘆を覚えたのであります。

尚印象の深かったことは我々に対して日本の各方面、各団体官民、一般大衆等朝野をあげて歓迎されたことでありまして、到る所ハーケンクロイツ旗と日本国旗とを掲げて頂いたことは、洵に感謝に堪えない次第であります。私等一行は今日朝鮮に第一歩を印しましたが、貴紙を通じて朝鮮の方々に我々一行の深甚なる感謝をお伝え下さるようにお願い申します。

なお我々は短期滞在ではあるが朝鮮に滞在し、満州、北支を視察して帰国の予定であります。最後に一行を朝早くから学校生徒を初め、官民団体を網羅してかくも盛大にお迎え下さったことをまことに感謝致す次第であります。

大邱の歓送迎

【大邱電話】独逸新聞使節一行は午前八時四十二分大邱通過の特急『あかつき』で通過北行したが、駅ホームには上瀧慶北知事、古市大邱府尹以下官民各代表者ならびに在邱新聞記者等約五百名が出迎え、万歳を唱えて盛んな送迎をなしたが、五分間の停車中上瀧知事より歓迎の辞を述べ、古市府尹よりリンゴ三籠を贈った。これに対し独逸新聞使節代表より丁寧な挨拶があった。

大田の歓送迎

【大田電話】訪日ドイツ新聞使節団一行と全鮮児童代表伊勢参宮団一行を乗せた特急『あかつき』は十一日定刻の午前十一時三分大田駅のホームにすべりこんだ。ホームは鄭忠南知事はじめ各学校、団体で埋められた。新聞使節団のフ団長はホームで鄭知事と固き握手を交わしたのち、大田で下車する忠南、北の児童代表八名に『おお立派な子供さんだ！大きくなったら総理大臣になるんだよ』と激励した。

京城駅に到着

独逸新聞使節団一行は、十一日午後一時三十五分『あかつき』で団長リハルド・フェルスター提督をはじめ、堂々たる体躯をレインコートに包み五月雨降りしきる京城駅頭に降り立った。この日、京畿道高警察部長外京城官民多数は日章旗とハーケンクロイツの日独両国旗を高々と打ち振り『万歳』を叫べば、使節団一行は右手をサッと挙げて答礼する。一行は速水城大総長、フッパー城大予科講師等と固い握手を交わしたのち、各新聞社写真班の猛烈なフラッシュを浴び乍ら駅貴賓室を抜けると、少憩もせず駅頭に待ち受けた自動車に分乗、南大門通りに並んだ小学生の打ちふる旗と『万歳』の饗宴を受けながら一路雨中を朝鮮神宮に向った。

朝鮮神宮参拝

雨の都入をしたドイツ新聞使節団一行は京城駅頭における歓呼の風を後に京城駅から自動車をつらねて日独両国国旗に飾られた市街を疾駆、一路朝鮮神宮へ．．．団長以下十三名は午後一時五十分阿知和宮司の出迎えを受けて神宮に到着。

一たん社務所に休憩してのち同二時使節団一行は威儀を正して参拝を行い、雨にかすむ大京城の威容を脚下に展望。『さすがに興亜枢軸の基地半島の首都だ』と感嘆の声を漏らしつつ本府訪問に向った。

一行本府訪問
総監と握手

神宮参拝を終えた独逸新聞使節一行は、吉満本府外務部事務官の案内で十一日午後二時二十分、本府を訪問した。フェルスター団長以下十二名の使節団員は直に政務総監室に入り警務局長代理伊藤警務課長、信原文章課長の立会で大野政務総監とフェルスター団長との間に劇的な固い日独親善の握手が交わされた。終ってフェルスター団長は一行を代表して『今日入城致しました。新興朝鮮の総ゆる姿を見せて戴きたいと思います』と述べ、来鮮に対する正式挨拶を述べた。

これに対し大野総監は本府職員に代り『雨の中にも拘わらず、遠路よくこそ御出で下さいました。半島民衆は閣下並に御一行の来鮮を心から御待ちしていました。十二日正午粗宴を設けましたから、御出席を願います。その席で色々と御高話を拝聴致したいと思います』との意味を述べ、答礼の言葉に代えた。かくて一行は午後二時五十分本府発、伺候署名のため昌徳宮に向った。

日本精神を讃う
フエ団長車中で語る

盟邦ドイツの新聞使節団一行を車中に訪い本社を代表して出迎えの旨を述べれば、海軍軍人を想わせる肉付のよいフェルスター団長は既に六十歳だというのに長途の旅行を続けている人とも思われぬ元気さで、本社の好意に謝辞を述べ次の如く所感を語った。

吾々は文化使節として来訪したので、鉄道或は電信という様な外形的諸施設に対しては余り関心を以て観ていないが吾々の頭脳に深く刻み込まれたものは精神的に日本が非常な緊張を示していることである。私は三十六年前に一度それから十二年前エムデン号に乗って日本を訪問したことがあるが、その当時は関東大震災の直後で、日本は非常な努力を以って欧米の文化を吸収している最中で、私は当時この儘これが発展すれば将来日本固有の伝統的文化との間に大きな激動がもたらされるのではないかという様な杞愛を抱いていた。

然るに今回重ねて来訪し曾つて日本が輸入した外来文化が総べて日本化され、日本国民としての溌剌たる力、国民としての価値、美点を発揮して外来文明を超えて日本固有の文化に帰納されているのを見て、日本精神の消化力に驚異を感じている。それから特に強い感銘を受けたことは日本の青年教育が非常に行き届いていること。青年が国家のために一身を捧げる自覚が非常に強いこと、その意気の天を衝く如きものあることを剣道柔道等の日本固有の武道を通じて感じさせられた。

それから私達の最も光栄至極とすることは、天皇陛下に御拝謁を賜り、天長節の観兵式に陪観の栄を浴したことであって、軍人の面に現れる燃ゆるが如き軍国への熱情と信頼するに足る純なる表情、これこそ日本軍人精神の現れだろうと思ったのであるが、その精神には汚れぬ美しさがハッキリと見られ、天皇陛下を戴く日本軍人の強さがしみじみ感じられた。また靖国神社に参拝して婦人や子供を交えた幾千幾万の人達が真剣に護国の英霊の前に額にているのを見たが、それは決して悲しみでなく日本国民の栄誉としての堂々とした誇らしさであることに非常な尊敬を感じた次第である。

時の録音：

• ドイツ新聞使節団を迎う。
• 一行は、既に内地の各部門に亘って視察し、ありのままの日本の姿を見た筈である。
• 今更、特別のお膳立てをして、半島を見てくれとはいわない。
• ただ、この事変下に、朝鮮もまた日本の重要なる一翼として興亜の聖業に邁進していることのみは見逃すべからず。自由にして率直なる観察眼を以て、一行よ、来り見て帰れ。
• 同じ日、参宮児童団も帰る。その旅囊を満したる土産わ何ぞ。
• 曰く『立派な強い日本国民になったこと』である筈

独逸新聞使節団日程

十一日

• ◇午後一時三五分京城駅着
• ◇同一時四五分京城駅発
• ◇同一時五〇分朝鮮神宮参拝
• ◇同二時一〇分朝鮮神宮発
• ◇同二時二〇分本府訪問
• ◇同二時四〇分本府発
• ◇同二時五〇分昌徳宮伺候
• ◇同三時一〇分昌徳宮発
• ◇同三時二五分軍司令官邸訪問
• ◇同三時四五分軍司令官邸発
• ◇同四時朝鮮ホテル着（在城新聞記者と会見活動写真映写）
• ◇同六時五〇分ホテル発
• ◇同七時明月館京城記者団招宴
• ◇同九時一〇分ホテル帰着

十二日

• ◇午前九時ホテル発
• ◇同九時四〇分志願兵訓練所着視察
• ◇同一一時校洞小学校着視察
• ◇同一一時三五分李王職雅楽部見学
• ◇同午後零時総督官邸着（政務総監招待午餐会）
• ◇同二時総督官邸発
• ◇同二時一〇分ホテル着
• ◇同三時五分ホテル発
• ◇同三時一五分京城駅着
• ◇同三時二〇分京城駅発満州国へ

獨新聞使節団入城（上）京城駅着の一行（下）フエ団長と政務総監の握手

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea

See also:

• Delegation from Fascist Spain visiting the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art in colonial Seoul, 1940 (link)
• Other articles featuring Professor Hupper at Seoul Imperial University (link 1, link 2)

Russian Tatar man wearing and selling Imperial Japanese "National Uniform" in colonial Seoul (March 1941)

This photo features a Russian Tatar clothing retailer in 1941 Seoul dressed in National Uniform Type B (国民服乙号型) and holding what appears to be National Uniform Type A (国民服甲号型). Behind him is a sign that says "All sales on credit refused" (懸賣一切御断り). In the accompanying Imperial Japanese propaganda article, he is positively portrayed in a highly favorable light: as an Imperial patriot of Muslim warrior heritage who sells patriotic national clothing, in contrast to other retailers who supposedly push "flashy American-style clothes". These National Uniforms were not yet mandatory in 1941, but they would later be made mandatory when draconian clothing regulations were issued in 1943.

Originally from the Volga-Ural region of Russia, the Tatars fled the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 seeking refuge from religious and political persecution. Imperial Japan saw potential in them as political propaganda tools, and accepted about a thousand of them as refugees. Many took up the clothing retail business, where some apparently made considerable fortunes. About one hundred Tatars resided in Seoul by this time.

This photo article shows the "model minority" treatment that Imperial Japan gives them. What is striking here is the way the article showcases this man as an exemplary minority subject of empire. He is portrayed as loyal, useful, fluent in Japanese, commercially respectable, and fully aligned with wartime imperial values. In that sense, the article does not merely describe a Tatar shopkeeper. It uses him symbolically.

This kind of representation seems to have served at least two propaganda purposes. First, it fit Japan’s wartime effort to present itself favorably to Muslim audiences abroad. Second, within colonial Korea, it offered a pointed contrast: a foreign Muslim refugee could be depicted as visibly embracing the Japanese language, Imperial Japanese culture, and wartime mobilization, thereby implicitly shaming Koreans who did not do the same.

Before the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 8, 1941, the phrase “blue-eyed” (hekigan, 碧眼), a term used to refer to white foreigners, was often used to describe the Russian Tatars. However, this subsequently stopped during the war years from 1942 onward, and they would henceforth be referred to as belonging to the Asian race. A recent Korea Times article notes that this expression still survives in Korean usage today as byeokan, though many now view it as awkward or dated.

The Tatar man uses the expression "Chongoshi", but this may be an approximation or bastardized pronunciation of "정이 고우시네 (it has a warm, lovely feeling)" in Korean. A Japanese woman from the colonial period says this word, intending this meaning, with Koreans in a dialogue that is reproduced in this blog post [Link].

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), March 19, 1941
Blue Eyes in “National Clothing” Too
A Turkic Tatar’s Pledge

“How is this? 정이 고우시네 (it has a warm, lovely feeling).”

He is a blue-eyed Turkic Tatar, wearing and selling the national uniform. It is difficult to see in his present appearance the fierce boldness with which, roused by the voice of the Prophet Muhammad, his predecessors once raised the banner of Islamism and struck fear into the mountains and fields of the medieval world. Yet there is much to ponder in the frank way he says that, in Seoul, flashy American-style clothes sell very well.

That is because there are so many gullible people who are delighted to think that ready-made clothing mass-produced around Kanda in Tokyo or Uemachi in Osaka is somehow “American-made.” It seems that once Turkic Tatars come to Seoul, they all decide to make it their permanent home, but that may be because they feel all the more deeply, in their very bones, their appreciation for Japan.

“For Japan, I will do anything. If I wear the national uniform, the military police will not get angry.”

This patriotic spring, his blue eyes are just a shade darker than the color of his national uniform.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1941年3月19日

碧眼も”国民服”
トルコ・タタールの誓い

『これ何うです。チョンゴシです』

国民服を着て国民服を売る碧い眼のトルコ・タタールだ。預言者マホメットの声に蹶起してイスラミズムの旗を立て、中世の山野を脅畏せしめた剽悍さを今のその姿に見るのは難しいが、アメリカ風の派手なものなら京城では幾らでも売れますと正直にも云ってのける言葉には多くの示唆がある。

東京の神田や大阪の上町辺りで多量生産するレディ・メードをアメリカ物？だと思って喜ぶ甘いのが多いからだ。従って一度京城に来たトルコ・タタールは一様にここを永住の地にしようと思い決めるらしいが、裏から見ればそれだけに日本の有難さが身に沁みて感じられているのでもある。

『わたくし、日本のためなら何でもします。国民服着ても憲兵隊怒らんです』碧い眼のよくさんの春は国民服の色よりちょいと濃い。

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea

Here is an excellent academic paper about the history of the Russian Tatar refugee community in Imperial Japan from their origins in the Volga-Ural region through the Russian Revolution in 1917, migration to Imperial Japan, and later emigration to the United States and Turkey after the war: [Link]

Imperial Japan’s support of Islam and Muslim communities has a fascinating historical background. For those interested in delving deeper, here’s a link to an academic paper on the topic: [Link] 

Other Keijo Nippo Articles:

• Russian Tatar refugee Shamshinoor Nugman in colonial Seoul after fleeing the Bolsheviks with the White Russians (November 1941) [Link]
• Shamseinoor Berikova, 19-year-old blue-eyed Russian Tatar refugee woman and Seoul resident in 1938, featured in Keijo Nippo as a pro-Imperial Japan patriotic model minority speaking fluent Japanese and supporting Imperial soldiers on their way to China [Link]
• The Sulemans were a Russian Tatar refugee family in Seoul who gained acceptance as assimilated Imperial Japanese people while holding strong to their Muslim faith, and left for Turkey amid warm farewells in 1939 [Link]
• Spotlight on 1943 Seoul: A Glimpse into the Russian Tatar Refugee Community, Marja Ibrahim’s Poetry Tribute to Tatar National Poet Ğabdulla Tuqay on the 30-year anniversary of his death [Link]
• Small community of ~100 Russian Tatars in Seoul featured in 1942-1944 propaganda articles: a young 19-year-old Tatar girl is praised for filling out immigration forms for her neighbors, a Tatar woman is commended for scolding her friends with red fingernails for wearing ‘British-American’ cosmetics [Link]
• In 1942 Busan, Korean pastors and foreign residents (Russian Tatar family, English woman, Chinese consul) praise Imperial Japan as British POWs captured in Malaysia start arriving in the city [Link]

Russian Tatar refugee Shamshinoor Nugman in colonial Seoul after fleeing the Bolsheviks with the White Russians (November 1941)

This 1941 article introduces Mrs. Shamshinoor Nugman, a Russian Tatar refugee living in colonial Seoul. The immediate occasion for the article is her donation of one hundred comfort bags to the Imperial military, although it also notes that, following her late husband’s wishes, she had earlier donated a large vehicle for transporting wounded patients. The article then briefly recounts her family’s flight from the Bolshevik Revolution, tracing a long refugee journey across Siberia into Manchuria and, eventually, to Japan and Korea.

Mrs. Shamshinoor Nugman in Seoul

I have posted several articles about the small Russian Tatar community in colonial Korea, with links for further reading below. In another article, Mrs. Nugman (also referred to as Nugmanov) appears as a prominent benefactor within that community, helping fund a Tatar school where children learned the Tatar language, the Muslim faith, and the official imperial curriculum. Other articles suggest that clothing retail was a common line of work among Tatars in Seoul.

Originally from the Volga-Ural region of Russia, the Tatars fled the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 seeking refuge from religious and political persecution. The community fled across Siberia into Manchuria and then settled in several cities throughout Imperial Japan, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Kumamoto, Seoul, and Busan. The Russian Tatar community in all of Imperial Japan numbered about 1000 residents, and there were about one hundred residents living in Seoul.

Imperial Japan appears to have seen political value in hosting Muslim refugees such as the Tatars, as part of its broader effort to cultivate Muslim goodwill under its wartime Islamic policy. In colonial Korea, that made the Tatars a 'model minority': they could be held up as loyal and assimilated Imperial subjects even while openly practicing their Muslim faith and speaking their language. That contrast would likely not have been lost on Koreans, who were seeing the public use of the Korean language becoming increasingly restricted and Korean culture becoming increasingly drowned out by militaristic Imperial Japanese culture.

Before the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 8, 1941, the phrase "blue-eyed" (hekigan, 碧眼), a term used to refer to white foreigners, was often used to describe the Russian Tatars. However, this subsequently stopped during the war years from 1942 onward, and they would henceforth be referred to as belonging to the Asian race. A recent Korea Times article notes that this expression still survives in Korean usage today as byeokan, though many now view it as awkward or dated.

After World War II, most of the Russian Tatar refugees in Japan and Korea left for the U.S. and Türkiye.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), November 21, 1941
Grateful for Japan’s Benevolence
Blue-Eyed Woman Donates Comfort Packages to the Army Patriotic Association

Early in the morning on the 20th, a horse cart piled high with comfort packages arrived at the Korean Army Patriotic Association. A blue-eyed woman in Western dress came to visit and, in fluent Japanese, offered them to the Army, saying, “It is only a small gesture, but please send these to the soldiers serving at the front.”

This blue-eyed woman was 36-year-old Shamshinoor Nugman, the widow of Mr. Nugman, a White Russian of Turkic background who had run a clothing store at 2-19 Honmachi, Seoul. This past spring, as he lay on his deathbed, he left these final words: “We are foreigners who lost our homeland, yet we have been able to live in peace and security thanks to Japan. As a small token of our gratitude, please donate 20,000 yen as a relief contribution for the soldiers.” With that testament, he passed away.

“In accordance with my late husband’s wishes, we had the honor of donating one large motor vehicle for transporting wounded patients. We cannot easily find the words in Japanese to express our gratitude, and so we feel terribly sorry that the main way through which we express our feelings of gratitude and patriotism is through our donations of money and goods. What we truly feel from the bottom of our hearts is simply that we must be grateful, again and again, for the blessings of the Imperial nation. Today, though it is only a small gesture, we prepared and sent one hundred comfort packages.”

She spoke with faint tears of emotion in her eyes. Captain Hirai of the Patriotic Association was also deeply moved by her words and gladly accepted the donation.

Behind the deepening gratitude felt by this foreign woman, who had escaped to Japan and was able to live a peaceful and happy life, lay a strange and wandering past, full of memories too painful to recall. The story she told of her past was as follows:

“It was 1917 when the Red Revolution broke out. At that time I was still only thirteen years old, a schoolgirl in Penza Oblast near Moscow. We White Russians were pursued by the revolutionary forces. Together with my parents and siblings, with only the clothes on our backs, we fled Moscow by horse wagon. Shivering in the freezing cold, through falling snow, we changed at times to sleds and kept going east, farther and farther east, passing through Zabaikalsk, until at last we escaped to Hailar in Manchuria. It was still March, and the cold was severe. My husband Nugman had been in Samara, which is now known as Kuybyshev under Soviet rule. While he was in his first year at Kseniya University in Kazan, he too was driven out and fled to Hailar.

“After that we married, moved to Japan, lived in Kobe for six years, and then moved to Seoul, where we have now lived for sixteen years. Now we are in the process of applying for Japanese naturalization. Our homeland is now at the center of the calamity of the German-Soviet War. It seems that the hateful Red regime is gradually beginning to waver. We are filled with emotions beyond words. Compared with that, how can we ever adequately express my gratitude that Japan, even while at war, extends such warm-hearted kindness to foreigners like us?”

[Photograph: Widow Nugman]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1941年11月21日

日本の恵みに感謝
碧眼婦人が軍愛国部へ慰問袋

二十日早朝一台の荷馬車に慰問袋を山と積んで碧眼洋装の婦人が朝鮮軍愛国部を訪れ、『僅かですが戦地で活躍されている兵隊さんに贈って下さい』と巧みな日本語で献納を申し出た。この碧い眼の婦人はこの春死の枕辺に『郷土を失った異国人の我々が安穏な生活が送れるのは日本のお蔭だ。感謝の微意に二万円を恤兵金として献金せよ―』と遺言して逝った異邦人京城本町二の一九洋服商白系土耳古人ヌグマン未亡人シャムシノール・ヌグマンさん（三六）だ。

「亡夫の遺志で患者輸送用大型自動車一台を献納させて戴きました。私達は言葉が不自由で感謝愛国の気持を物とお金に託すのは大変済まないことだと思います。私たちの心底から思うことは、ただただ皇国のお蔭に感謝しなければならぬことです。きょう僅かですが慰問袋百個を作って贈らせて貰いました」と眼にうすく感激の涙すら浮かべて語るのだ。愛国部平井大尉も此言葉にいたく感激喜んで受納した。この異邦人が日本に脱出して来て安穏幸福な生活が送られる感謝の念を強めさせる陰には数奇な流転の過去が余りにもいたいたしかった思い出があるからだ。彼女が語る過去は

「赤色革命の巻起った一九一七年でした。当時私はまだ一三歳でモスコーの近郊ペンザ県の小学校の生徒でした。私達白系は革命軍に追われ、両親、兄弟と手をとり着のみ着のまま馬車に揺られてモスコーを避け凍りつく寒気に慄え雪のふりしきるうちを橇に乗り換えなどして東へ東へ、ザバイカルを経てやっと満州国ハイラルへ脱出しました。まだ寒さのきびしい三月でした。私の夫ヌグマンもまたサマラ（現在ソ連政府のあるクイビシェフ）に在りカザンのクサニヤ大学の一年在学中追われてハイラルに落ちのびたのでした。

その後私達は結婚して日本に移り神戸に六年住み、京城へ移って十六年。目下日本人帰化の手続中です。いま私達の郷土は独ソ戦の禍乱の中心になっています。恨みの赤色政権はだんだん動揺しているようです。私たちは感慨無量のものがあります。それに較べ戦争している日本が私たち異邦人に温かい心やりを下さるのは何と感謝してよいか分りません」

【写真＝ヌグマン未亡人】

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea

Here is an excellent academic paper about the history of the Russian Tatar refugee community in Imperial Japan from their origins in the Volga-Ural region through the Russian Revolution in 1917, migration to Imperial Japan, and later emigration to the United States and Turkey after the war: [Link]

Imperial Japan’s support of Islam and Muslim communities has a fascinating historical background. For those interested in delving deeper, here’s a link to an academic paper on the topic: [Link] 

Other Keijo Nippo Articles:

• Shamseinoor Berikova, 19-year-old blue-eyed Russian Tatar refugee woman and Seoul resident in 1938, featured in Keijo Nippo as a pro-Imperial Japan patriotic model minority speaking fluent Japanese and supporting Imperial soldiers on their way to China [Link]
• The Sulemans were a Russian Tatar refugee family in Seoul who gained acceptance as assimilated Imperial Japanese people while holding strong to their Muslim faith, and left for Turkey amid warm farewells in 1939 [Link]
• Spotlight on 1943 Seoul: A Glimpse into the Russian Tatar Refugee Community, Marja Ibrahim’s Poetry Tribute to Tatar National Poet Ğabdulla Tuqay on the 30-year anniversary of his death [Link]
• Small community of ~100 Russian Tatars in Seoul featured in 1942-1944 propaganda articles: a young 19-year-old Tatar girl is praised for filling out immigration forms for her neighbors, a Tatar woman is commended for scolding her friends with red fingernails for wearing ‘British-American’ cosmetics [Link]
• In 1942 Busan, Korean pastors and foreign residents (Russian Tatar family, English woman, Chinese consul) praise Imperial Japan as British POWs captured in Malaysia start arriving in the city [Link]

Note: The article mentions that Mr. Nugman studied at "Ksenia University" in Kazan, but I could not find information online about any university by that name in Russia. It is unclear what Russian academic institution the article was referring to.

Delegation from Fascist Spain visiting the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art in colonial Seoul, 1940

This is a July 1940 news article about a formal visit to Japanese-ruled Seoul by a delegation from Francoist Spain, which had emerged victorious in the Spanish Civil War the previous year. The Franco regime was marked by rigid centralism and repressive policies toward regional identities and movements such as Catalan and Basque nationalism. In this article, the colonial newspaper presents the delegation’s tour of shrines, palaces, and museums as a polished showcase of “Korean culture” under Imperial Japanese rule.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), July 10, 1940
Blue Eyes Roaming About
Spanish Delegation Given a Tour of Korean Culture

Welcomed by the enthusiastic “welcome” extended by official and public circles across Korea, the twenty-member Spanish economic mission from the passionate land of Spain entered the city on July 8th. After spending a night at the Chōsen Hotel, the party was delighted by the pleasant summer sky.

At 9:30 in the morning, the inspection party, led by General Girona, departed from the Chōsen Hotel and paid their respects at Chōsen Shrine, lush with greenery. They then went on in search of the finest of Korean culture, visiting Injeongjeon, the Court Music Division, and the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art. The group was cheerful and lively throughout. They also inspected the Industrial Promotion Hall and gazed in astonishment at Korea’s specialty products. In the evening, they attended a welcome reception hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Trade Association. The party is scheduled to depart for Manchuria on July 10th on a train leaving at 8:40 p.m.

[Photo: Members of the delegation visiting the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1940年7月10日
碧眼をキョロリ
スペイン使節団
半島文化を見学

半島朝野の”ようこそ”の歓待に迎えられて八日入城した情熱の国スペイン経済使節団一行二十名は朝鮮ホテルに一夜を明かせば快適の夏空が一行を喜ばせる。
午前九時半朝鮮ホテルを出発したヒローナ将軍以下の視察団員は緑滴る朝鮮神宮に参拝。次いで仁政殿、雅楽部、李王家美術館と半島文化の粋を求めて歩く。一行は嘻々として華やかだ。商工奨励館を視察し半島特産品に驚異の眼をみはり、夜は朝鮮商議、京城商議、貿易協会の歓迎会に臨んだ。なお一行は十日午後八時四十分発列車で満州に向う。

【写真＝李王家美術館見学の一行】

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea