This is the third part of the news coverage about a 22-member Italian Fascist delegation which visited Korea in 1938 from the afternoon of April 23 until the evening of April 24. They had just spent roughly 40 days traveling throughout mainland Japan before continuing through colonial Korea.
Despite spending only about 36 hours in Korea, the delegation received extraordinarily lavish newspaper coverage, with pages upon pages devoted to virtually every aspect of the visit. The reporting ranges far beyond official speeches and diplomatic ceremonies. It documents exchanges involving sports, cinema, food, music, Catholicism, martial arts, military affairs, and youth organizations. There were also numerous encounters with schoolchildren and ordinary people.
The delegation was headed by Marquis Giacomo Paulucci di Calboli Barone, an Italian diplomat whom Mussolini had appointed president of the Istituto Luce, the state-controlled film and newsreel organization that played a major role in Fascist propaganda.
On this page of the newspaper, we follow Paulucci and his men as they attend an evening banquet and nighttime cherry-blossom viewing with the Korean royal couple, then Governor-General Minami, Army Commander Koiso (who would later become Governor-General of Korea), and Viscount Min Byeong-seok.
Paulucci's delegation then moved on to a second banquet with the business representatives of colonial Korea, including the heads of several major banks, among them two ethnic Koreans. One of them headed Chōsen Commercial Bank, which would later evolve into present-day Woori Bank. This business banquet was more informal, and the 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.
Two of the kisaeng seated beside Paulucci are actually identified by name: Do Wol-seon (identified as Paulucci's favorite one) and Choe Geum-ran.
This particular newspaper page does not include a photo of the inside of the restaurant during the business banquet. However, when a Nazi German newspaper delegation was entertained at the same restaurant the following year, in 1939, the newspaper did publish a photo showing a similar banquet setup. The guests appear packed closely together around a long table, with kisaeng standing immediately behind them and attending to the gathering.
We also learn that one of the delegates, Umberto Marconi actually visited Korea several times before, the first time in 1914, just four years after Korea's annexation into Imperial Japan, and the last time four years earlier in 1934.
The delegation also attended a children's festival featuring a Korean child violin prodigy and an Ainu girl performing dances to Japanese theatrical and military pieces. There was a spring photo event featuring ethnic Korean female models at one venue and ethnic Japanese female models at another.
We also learn that the Italian delegation was triggered by seeing the Soviet flag flying between the Italian and Japanese flags at Busan harbor. If that was deliberately placed instead of being an accident, it would arguably count as a pretty memorable trolling incident.
[Translation]
Gyeongseong Ilbo, Keijo Nippo, April 24, 1938 — Page 15
A First Day That Solidified the Pledge Between Allies
The Entire City Showers the Tireless Delegation with Welcomes
Cheerful Exchanges in the Refreshing Spring Breeze
Welcomed by a storm of cheers, the Fascist mission led by Marquis Paulucci spent a hectic day amid the spring sunshine, receiving the welcome of all Seoul. The party visited Chōsen Shrine, paid a call at Changdeok Palace, visited the Government-General Building, and visited the Army Commander, passing through the day’s crowded schedule amid continual excitement.
They scarcely had time to settle into their “flower-filled lodging,” the Chōsen Hotel, before setting out again at 6:30 that evening to attend a dinner of fellowship hosted by Governor-General Minami and his wife.
Delegation leader Marquis Paulucci wore a red-and-white grand sash across the shoulder of his black uniform, while upon his chest glittered the highest decorations of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the Order of the Crown of Italy. Having picked up the Japanese word “Arigatō” during more than a month of travel through mainland Japan, he exchanged greetings cheerfully, accompanied by expansive gestures.
Every member of the delegation appeared in full black-shirt dress, the decorations glittering across their chests testifying to their distinguished records as members of the Fascist Party. Their hosts and accompanying guests were likewise formally dressed in tailcoats. The blood alliance between Japan and Italy blossomed amid cordiality and burst repeatedly into laughter.
Next came an invitation from the Office of the Yi Royal Household to view the cherry blossoms at night in Changgyeongwon, where the visitors repeatedly exclaimed: “Bella!”
At a banquet hosted by representatives of the business community at Meigetsukan, the southern European allies became entranced by the graceful dances of the kisaeng, through which they seemed to glimpse the distant past of the Orient.
Along the routes taken by the delegation, magnificent lantern processions transformed the capital into a sea of light.
Amid cries of “Viva l’Italia!”, the visitors finally returned to their hotel at 11:20 that night.
After their brilliant first night in Korea, they awoke on the morning of April 24th to clear skies, refreshing breezes, and the brilliant green of new foliage.
Photo captions: Above is the banquet given by His Highness Prince Yi Un at Changgyeongwon; below is Marquis Paulucci's delegation surrounded by a procession of lanterns gathered in front of the newspaper's office
Today’s Schedule
After an emotional first night in Korea amid the welcome of the entire peninsula, the Fascist delegation will greet the clear morning of April 24th with the following itinerary:
At 9:00 a.m., dressed in Party uniforms, they will attend worship at the Catholic church in Myeong-dong, Myeongdong Cathedral, to pray for the success of their great mission and journey.
Under the guidance of Archbishop Larribeau, they will offer solemn prayers.
They will then visit the Commercial and Industrial Promotion Hall and the Government-General Museum to study and investigate conditions in Korea, returning at 11:25 a.m. to their lodging at the Chōsen Hotel for a short rest.
At 12:20 p.m. they will attend a great outdoor welcoming banquet for government officials and civilians, hosted by the mayor of Seoul at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion inside Gyeongbok Palace.
At 2:10 p.m., at Seoul Municipal Ground, they will witness 40,000 elementary and secondary-school students of the city perform Imperial Subject Gymnastics and a mass display to the Patriotic March, allowing them to take in the brilliant spectacle of rapidly advancing Korea.
Then, overflowing with emotion, the delegation will depart Seoul Station at 4:15 p.m., bidding “Sayonara, Seoul,” and set out on the road to neighboring Manchukuo.
Friendship Beneath the Cherry Blossoms
His Highness Prince Yi Un Hosts a Banquet at Changgyeongwon
At 8:30 on the evening of April 23rd, delegation leader Marquis Paulucci and the other members of the Japanese-Italian goodwill mission attended a banquet given by His Highness Prince Yi Un.
The tables had been set out in the plaza before the old museum in Changgyeongwon, as cherry blossoms fluttered down all around.
At the main table sat Their Highnesses Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja, followed by the guest of honor Marquis Paulucci and the other members of his party; Governor-General Minami and his wife; Army Commander Koiso and his wife; Viscount Min Byeong-seok (민병석, 閔丙奭) and his wife; and more than one hundred other prominent guests.
Governor-General Minami asked Paulucci to convey a message to Mussolini:
“True to the Fascist watchword of never tiring and never growing weary, your party has spent more than a month traveling without a moment’s rest. One would expect you to be exhausted, yet you remain completely energetic. I believe this is entirely due to Prime Minister Mussolini’s guiding spirit of tirelessness and perseverance, and for this I express my respect. Napoleon erased the word ‘impossible’ from the dictionary. I am convinced that from Mussolini’s dictionary the word ‘tired’ ought likewise to be erased. Please convey this to Prime Minister Mussolini as a message from Minami, Governor-General of Korea.”
Paulucci replied:
“As Your Excellency has said, the Japanese spirit and the Italian spirit are one and the same. The union of these two peoples is a cause for the greatest celebration. When I return, I shall immediately convey Your Excellency’s gracious words. I believe Prime Minister Mussolini will be greatly pleased.”
Beneath the cherry blossoms, made still more brilliant by the presence of the delegation, the banquet proceeded in a warm and congenial atmosphere until 9:40. The party then immediately departed for the business community’s banquet at Meigetsukan.
Banquet Hosted by the Business Community
Another Reception at Meigetsukan
The banquet for the Italian goodwill delegation sponsored by the Seoul business community began at 9:30 on the evening of April 23rd in the great hall of Meigetsukan.
On the guest side were Marquis Paulucci and the members of the delegation.
Among the hosts were Matsubara Yoshikazu, Governor of the Bank of Chōsen; Hayashi Shigezō, president of the Chōsen Industrial Bank; President Park Yeong-cheol (박영철, 朴榮喆) of Chōsen Commercial Bank; Kada, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Han Sang-ryong (한상룡, 韓相龍), president of Chōsen Life Insurance; Mayor Saeki; and others.
When more than fifty kisaeng entered the room, each carrying a sake cup in her hand, the hall was instantly transformed into a flower garden.
Everywhere could be heard repeated cries of:“Arigatō!”
In one corner, a kisaeng soon began singing the Patriotic March, “Behold, the eastern sky grows light,” and members of the delegation joined in with a chorus of: “La-la-la-la!”
Seated on either side of Marquis Paulucci were the kisaeng Do Wol-seon (도월선, 都月仙) and Choe Geum-ran (최금란, 崔錦蘭). The Marquis seemed particularly taken with Miss Do Wol-seon and continually whispered to her.
After an address by Foreign Affairs Department chief Matsuzawa and a reply by Marquis Paulucci, a monk’s dance (seungmu) and a sword dance (geommu) were performed on the stage.
The entire gathering applauded: “Encore! Encore!” And so the spring evening passed in brilliant festivity.
Paulucci Praises the Greening of the Peninsula
Dr. Marconi Reminisces About His Earlier Visits to Korea
Seated comfortably in the observation car of what was described as the most luxurious train ever operated by the Korea Railway, Fascist delegation leader Marquis Paulucci was in exceedingly high spirits.
“Last night I slept only two hours,” he said, giving his impressions with obvious sincerity. “But once I set foot upon this beautiful peninsula and boarded such a splendid train, all my sleepiness disappeared somewhere. As you can see, I am full of energy.”
Because the Marquis also serves as head of an Italian forestry association, he offered the highest praise for Korea’s reforestation efforts as he gazed upon the greenery lining the railway.
“This green landscape could certainly not have been created in merely one or two years. It must be the result of many years of excellent policies by the Governor-General and tremendous administrative efforts by the local authorities.”
At this point Dr. Umberto Marconi, representative of the Fascist federation of industrialists and the one member of the delegation with especially deep familiarity with Korea, broke into the conversation.
“I first came to Korea twenty-four years ago,” he said.
“Since then I have visited several times. My most recent visit was four years ago.
“On my visit twenty-four years ago, I landed at Chongjin and had an extremely difficult journey onward by ox cart and on foot. Now you have splendid railways.”
The doctor spoke with such endless nostalgia that one might almost have taken him for someone who lived on the Korean peninsula.
“Just look at this railway line! It has become splendid. And what do you think of a magnificent train like this?” He spoke while tapping the reporter on the shoulder.
“Long Live Italy!” at Seoul Station
A Gentleman Remembers an Earlier Bond of Friendship Between the Allied Nations
There was a moving little story at Seoul Station, where the guests from southern Europe, the emissaries of the sacred alliance, were received.
Overcome by the passionate, pro-Japanese gestures of the Italian visitors, one gentleman trembled with excitement and shouted “Viva l’Italia!”, remembering a fateful connection from years past that had helped forge a bond of Japanese-Italian friendship.
The man was Uno Tetsuji, now something of a “living encyclopedia” at the Standard Oil Company in Takezoe-chō (present-day Chungjeong-no), Seoul.
The story of his connection with Italy goes back to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904.
As reports arrived of successive fierce battles and Japanese victories, the Russian Baltic Fleet set sail in force, and Japan’s own strategic preparations became increasingly tense.
At just that time, Japan and Russia both learned that Italy was constructing two cruisers ordered by Argentina. Both countries coveted the vessels and began behind-the-scenes efforts to purchase them.
Japan’s minister in France at the time, Sone Arasuke, traveled alone to Italy and, thanks to Italy’s boundless friendship, ultimately succeeded in purchasing the ships.
They were named Kasuga and Nisshin and preparations began to sail them to Japan.
Unfortunately, difficulties arose over how to bring the vessels home.
While various plans were being considered, Italian naval reservists offered themselves in devoted service, declaring that they would “lend Japan a hand.”
A crew of one hundred men was recruited to sail the two ships.
They hurried as far as Singapore, and from there, in order to pass through the combat zone, loaded coal even onto the decks and raced at full speed directly to Yokohama.
When the two vessels arrived, all Japan was deeply moved.
The nation offered boundless thanks for Italy’s friendship, and Tokyo Mayor Ozaki Yukio held a grand reception for the visitors.
At the time, Uno was a student in the Italian-language department of the School of Foreign Languages.
The mayor called upon him to serve as an Italian-language guide.
From Shimbashi Station he accompanied the Italians around Tokyo and also took them to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan to see Japan’s national sport, sumo.
At that time Hitachiyama and Umegatani were Yokozuna, and their fiercely contested bouts delighted the Italian visitors beyond measure.
Having served as a guide during that earlier exchange of friendship, Uno now saw the “Italy of his dreams” brought to life before his very eyes.
He came to greet the delegation with tears of emotion glistening in his eyes.
The cruisers Kasuga and Nisshin, incidentally, were equipped with high-angle guns and later distinguished themselves in the attack on Port Arthur, leaving behind a brilliant achievement in the history of Japanese-Italian friendship.
[Photograph: Mr. Uno]
A Close-Cropped Head as a Souvenir for the Folks Back Home
Dr. Rivetta, the Fluent Japanese Speaker, Joins In
During more than a month of inspection and travel, the members of the Italian mission to Japan thoroughly filled their heads with knowledge not only of Japanese politics, economics, and culture, but even of the everyday lives and sentiments of the people. Then they arrived in Seoul to inspect Korea.
As though deciding that nothing could make a better souvenir to take home, no fewer than three members of the delegation arrived with their heads close-cropped in the Japanese style.
The first was Edoardo Rossi, deputy leader of the delegation and commander of the Italian youth organization, who had his hair completely cut off in Kobe.
Next came Dr. Pietro Silvio Rivetta, representative of the professions and arts, and Mr. Mariano, a secretary.
As they finally bade farewell to Japan proper at Shimonoseki, the two likewise bade farewell to their long hair.
And they were extremely thorough about it: not satisfied merely with electric clippers, they had their heads shaved clean with razors.
On the train crossing the peninsula, Dr. Rivetta stroked his newly shaved head and declared with great satisfaction:
“This is what it means truly to absorb the spirit!”
Their commemorative Japanese haircuts provided another cheerful topic of conversation.
[Inset reproduction: an autograph given to this newspaper’s reporter aboard the Seoul–Busan Line by Dr. Rivetta, who speaks Japanese with great skill.]
Today: Keijō Nippō Children’s Festival
Welcoming the Italian Delegation
A Splendid Program at Seoul Citizens’ Hall, Beginning at Noon
The springtime peninsula is more excited than ever as it welcomes Marquis Paulucci and the goodwill mission from Italy, our allied nation in the struggle against Communism, who have journeyed here across the sea.
The familiar Keijō Nippō Children’s Association will therefore hold a special Children’s Festival today, Sunday April 24th, beginning at noon at Seoul Citizens Hall, to welcome the Italian delegation.
The program will be a splendid one incorporating the theme of Japanese-Italian friendship.
Negotiations are currently underway for Edoardo Rossi, representative of the Fascist Party and commander of the Italian “Littorio” youth organization, who is traveling with the delegation, to address all the children.
First, Professor Fukutomi Ichirō of the preparatory department of Keijō Imperial University will give an entertaining talk explaining why Italy and Japan became friendly nations and telling the audience about Italian children.
This will be followed by choral singing by the children of the First Elementary School attached to Seoul Normal School.
Next will come new Japanese music accompanied by dancing, performed by the lovely young girls of the familiar Takita troupe; stirring shigin poetry recitation and sword dancing by the Seigin-kai; and choral singing by the children of the Second Elementary School attached to Seoul Normal School.
Then, for the first time, we will introduce to everyone Yi Sang-ho (이상호, 李相鎬), a third-year pupil at the Second Elementary School of Seoul Normal School and a young violin prodigy.
He will perform the Patriotic March, Hungarian Dance, and other pieces.
Another attraction sure to delight everyone is Eriko Monbetsu, an Ainu girl whom many readers may already know. She will perform dances so splendid that even adults will be astonished.
The five numbers on her program are the nagauta “Fuji Musume,” the military song “Roei no Uta,” “The Traveling Puppeteer,” “Masanari,” and “Konkon-kyō.”
Finally, there will be plenty of motion pictures, which everyone loves:
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Keijō Nippō World Sound News - several reels;
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Paramount News - one reel
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National Defense Japan (sponsored by Towa Trading) - one reel
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The Struggle for Survival Among Animals (sponsored by Towa Trading) - one reel
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The Olympic Bells Are Calling - three reels
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Metro color cartoons: Bosko and the Pirates and The Skunk’s Lament
Express Topics
☆ — Busan Harbor, welcoming the Italian delegation, was completely decorated with waves of bouquets and the flags of nations. Yet on this day when Korea welcomed an allied nation of the Anti-Comintern camp, there was, ironically, one red Soviet flag fluttering above the delegation’s heads.
☆ — Among the tens of thousands in the crowd, no one seemed to notice the red flag waving between the Hinomaru flag and the Italian flag.
☆ — One member of the delegation finally spotted it and indignantly exclaimed: “On a day of Japanese-Italian friendship, what sort of nonsense is this?”
☆ — Hearing this, Marquis Paulucci merely smiled and said: “That red flag hanging between our flag and the Hinomaru flag is symbolic. Squeezed from both sides, sooner or later it will be crushed flat.”
All Seoul’s Cameras Mobilized
Spring Photography Outing Today
The All-Korean Photography Federation will hold its spring photography outing today
First venue: Deoksu Palace, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Numerous Korean beauties will appear as models.
Second venue: Changgyeongwon, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The models will be women from mainland Japan.
Notice: Tripods may not be used at either location.
Sponsored by the All-Korean Photography Federation
[Transcription]
京城日報 1938年4月24日
盟友の誓い固き第一日
疲れを知らぬ使節に全市挙げて歓迎攻め
薫風爽やかに明朗の交歓
嵐の歓呼に迎えられたファシスト使節パウルッチ侯以下聖なる団員一行は全京城をあげての歓迎に朝鮮神宮参拝、昌徳宮伺候総督訪問、軍司令官訪問と春光を浴びて慌しい昼間の日程を感激の裡に送り”花の宿”朝鮮ホテルに落ち着く暇もなく同夜六時半、南総督夫妻招待の交歓晩餐会に出席。パウルッチ団長は黒服の肩から紅白の大綬章をかけ、胸には燦然たる『聖パウリッオ・エ・ラサーロ』『コローヌ・デ・イタリア』の最高勲章を飾り、すっかり内地月余の旅で覚えた『アリガト』の日本語に大袈裟なゼスチュアも明朗に交歓。
使節全員は何れも黒シャツの胸間にはファシスト党員としての華々しい党歴を物語る勲章をきらびやに輝かしての晴姿、賓客を迎える接待倍賓何れも燕尾服の盛装に日伊の血盟華と咲き爆笑に散る。次いで李王職招待の昌慶苑の夜桜見物に『ベラ！』の連呼。実業団代表の招待宴は明月館で優雅な妓生の舞に遠き東洋の昔の姿を辿り南欧の盟友たちは陶然、一行を歓迎する沿道は壮麗な提灯行列で首都は火の海と化してヴィヴァリターリアの歓声にむせびつつホテルに入ったのは同夜十一時二十分。輝かしい入鮮第一夜の夢を結び新緑映える薫風に二十四日晴朗の朝を迎えた。
写真説明：上は昌慶苑における李王殿下の御招宴；下は本社前において提灯行列の群に包囲されたパ侯一行
今日の日程
半島をあげての歓迎に感激の入鮮第一夜を送ったファシスト使節団一行は晴朗に明けた二十四日午前九時党服に身を固め使節の大命と壮途を祝福するため明治町天主教会に礼拝。ラリボー大僧正司祭の下に聖なる祈祷を行い、商工奨励館、本府博物館に朝鮮の事情を研究調査して同十一時二十五分一旦宿舎朝鮮ホテルに帰って休憩。午後零時二十分景福宮内慶会楼で開かれる京城府尹主催の官民合同の大歓迎野宴に臨み、次いで午後二時十分京城グラウンドで府内初中等学生四万人が贈る皇国臣民体操と愛国行進曲マスゲームに躍進朝鮮の輝かしい姿を満喫。感激あふるる裡を同四時十五分京城駅発列車で『サヨナラ京城』と感懐をこめて一路善隣満州国への旅にのぼる。
桜花に映える親善
李王殿下、昌慶苑に御招宴
二十三日夜八時三十分日伊親善使節団パウリッチ団長以下一行は李王殿下の御招宴に臨んだ。昌慶宴旧博物館前、桜花紛々と落ちる広場に宴席は設けられた。メインテーブルには李王、同妃両殿下御臨席の後、主賓パウリッチ侯一行、南総督、同夫人、小磯軍司令官、同夫人、閔子爵、同夫人ほか名士百余名着席。南総督はパ団長にムッソリーニに伝えてくれと伝言を頼んだ。
『ファシストの綱領とする倦まず飽かずの言葉通り一行は月余の寸暇なき旅行で、さぞお疲れであろうにも拘らず疲れても居ず元気であらせらるのは、専らム首相の倦まず飽かずの指導精神に基くものと思い敬意を表する。ナポレオンはイムポシブルの言葉を辞書から抹消したが、ムッソリーニの辞書からは疲れるの言葉を抹消してしかるべきだと確信する。これをどうか朝鮮総督南の伝言としてム首相に伝えて貰いたい』
これに対してパ団長は
『総督閣下が言われる通り日本精神とイタリー精神とは同一である。この両国民が結合したことは慶賀に堪えない。閣下の懇篤なる言葉は帰れば直ぐお伝えいたしましょう。ム首相も喜ばれることと思います』
使節団を迎えて一層映える桜花の下で和気藹々裡に同九時四十分宴会を終り一行は直ちに明月館の実業招宴に臨んだ。
実業団の招宴
更に明月館で
京城実業団主催イタリー親善使節団招宴は二十三日夜九時三十分から明月館大ホールで開かれた。客側パ侯一行、主催側松原鮮銀総裁林殖銀頭取、朴商銀頭取、賀田商工会議所会頭、韓朝鮮生命社長、佐伯府尹等出席、妓生五十余名が手に手に盃を携えて部屋に現われると席は一ぺんにお花畠と化する。あっちこっちで『アリガト』の連発向うの隅では早くも妓生が『見よ東海の空明けて』と愛国行進曲を歌えば、団員は『ララララ』で合唱をする。
団長パ侯の両隣には都月仙、崔錦蘭の両妓が侍っているが、団長は都君が好きらしく、しきりに彼女とばかり囁く。松沢外務部長の挨拶、パ団長の答辞があって、ステージに僧舞、剣舞を演ずれば、一同はアンコール、アンコールの拍手、かくて春宵は華やかに更けた。
半島の緑化を讃嘆のパ団長
数回の来鮮を追懐するマ博士
鮮鉄未曾有の豪華列車の展望車に納まったファシスト代表パウリッチ団長頗る快活に『昨夜は二時間しか眠らなかったが、この麗わしの半島の地を踏んでこんな立派な列車に乗っては眠けも何処かへ消え去ってこの通り元気一杯です』と真心からの感想を語る。侯は伊太利林業組合長を兼ねている関係上、半島の植林事業には沿線の緑を眺めて最大級の讃辞を贈る。
『この緑の景色は決して一、二年で出来上ったものとは思われない。総督の色々な立派な施政と地方当局の行政上の非常な力が多年に用いられた結果と思う』と語る間に一行中唯一人朝鮮には特に馴染深いファシスト工業家聯合代表ウンベルト・マルコーニ博士が割り込んだ。
『私は二十四年前に朝鮮に来ました。それから数回当地を訪れ、最近では四年前に来たことがあります。二十四年前訪問の際は清津に上陸して、春まで牛車や徒歩で苦心惨憺して辿りついたものです。今では立派な鉄道があるでしょうね』と語る博士はもう半島に住む者のような懐しみを伝えて限りがない。『この沿線を見ても立派になったものですね。殊にこんな立派な列車はどうですか』と記者の肩を叩いて語るのだった。
京城駅頭に感激の伊国万歳
盟邦の友情偲ぶ紳士
聖盟の使節南欧イタリーの賓客を迎えた京城駅頭に情熱的な親日の一行のゼスチュアに感激と昂奮に慄え胸に秘めた過ぎし日伊親善の楔となった宿縁の一紳士がヴィヴァ・リタリアを絶叫した佳話がある。話頭の主人公は、いま京城竹添スタンダード石油会社の生字引宇野哲司さんで宿縁の話題は遠く過ぎし日の明治三十七年日露役に始まる。
激戦相次ぎ日本軍勝利の報到るうちにもバルチック艦隊舳艫相銜んで進発。わが方の作戦また緊張する時、恰も伊国はアルゼンチン国から二隻の巡洋艦建造を依頼されていることを日露両国が探知。何れも食指を動かしてこれを買収の潜行運動を開始。当時わが駐仏の曾禰荒助公使が単身伊国に乗り込み伊国の限りなき友情によって遂に買収に成功。日進、春日と命名愈よわが国へ回航することとなったが、不幸回航する方法に窮し、種々対策を練っていた折、伊国予備海軍水兵の献身的犠牲により『日本のために一肌脱ごう』と言うこととなり両艦回航の乗組員百名を募集。大急航でシンガポールまで着港。更にここから戦闘圏内を潜るため甲板にまで一杯石炭を積んで猛スピードで横浜まで直航。両艦入港に日本全国は挙げて感激。伊国の友情に万斛の謝意を捧げ当時の東京市長尾崎咢堂氏は盛大な一行の歓迎宴を催した。
この時、外国語学校伊太利語科の学生だった宇野氏は市長に招ぜられ伊太利語の案内役をつとめ新橋ステーションから東京市内を案内、両国国技館に国技の相撲も案内、当時は常陸山、梅ケ谷が横綱で血戦火を吐き一行を狂喜させた。こうした親善の案内役を勤めた宇野氏は”夢見る伊太利”をいま眼の前に描き出し感激の眼に涙をうるませて出迎えたのであった。なお春日、日進の両巡洋艦は高角砲を備え旅順攻撃に抜群の戦功をたて日伊親善の輝く偉功をのこしたものであった。（写真は宇野さん）
故国への土産に日本流の丸坊主
日本語の巧みなり博士も
イタリー訪日使節団一行は月余に亘る視察で日本に於る政治、経済、文化は勿論、一般民情まですっかり頭の中に詰め込んで朝鮮視察のため来城したが、これこそ故国へ一番の土産とばかり一行中の三名までが日本式に丸坊主となってやって来た。まず第一が副団長でイタリー少年団総司令ロッシ氏が神戸できれいさっぱりと切落し、その次は職業及技芸代表のリベッタ博士と書記のマリアノ氏で愈よ日本内地に別れを告げる下関で長髪に離別したが、この方は頗る徹底したものでバリカンでは飽き足らず剃刀で剃りあげた。半島縦貫の列車の中でリベッタ博士はその頭を撫でながら『これこそ精神の体得である』と大満悦の態で訪日記念の断髪で朗らかに話題を賑わしている（凸版は日本語の巧みなりリベッタ博士が京釜線車中で本社記者にサインしてくれたもの）
きょう：京日子供会
伊太利使節の歓迎に
正午府民館に展く豪華プロ
海を越えてはるばる訪れた防共の盟邦イタリーの親善使節パウリッチ侯一行を迎えて半島の春はいやがうえに歓びにわき立っているとき、おなじみの京日コドモ会では、きょう二十四日日曜正午から京城府民館でイタリー使節歓迎の京日コドモ大会を開くこととなりました。プログラムは日伊親善を織込んだ次のようなすばらしいものです。
なお同会には使節団一行中の伊国『リクトアル』少年団総司令（ファシスト）党代表エドアルド・ロッシが皆さんに御挨拶があるはずで目下交渉中です。
まず城大予科の福富一郎先生がイタリーと日本はなぜお友だちの国となったかということや、イタリーの子供について面白いお話をして下さいます。続いて京城師範学校附属第一小学校のお友だちの斉唱、次におなじみの田北社中の美しいお嬢ちゃんたちの新日本音楽（踊りつき）清吟会の勇ましい詩吟、剣舞、京師第二小学校のお友だちの斉唱があって、今度はじめて皆さんに、京師第二小学校三年生のヴァイオリンの天才少年李相鎬君を御紹介申し上げます。同君は『愛国行進曲』『ハンガリアン・ダンス』などを弾きます。
次に皆さんに喜んでいただきたいのは、もう御存知の方も多いと思いますが、アイヌ娘の門別恵里子さんが大人もびっくりするようなすばらしい踊をおどります。番組は長唄『藤娘』軍歌『露営歌』『旅の人形師』『正行』『こんこん狂』の五つです。最後に皆さんの大すきな映画をどっさり御覧に入れます映画は
【１】京日世界発声ニュース数巻
【２】パラマウント・ニュース一巻
【３】『国防日本』（東和商事提供）一巻
【４】『動物の生存闘争』（同）一巻
【５】『オリムピックの鐘は呼ぶ』（同）三巻
【６】メトロ極彩色漫画【イ】ボスコと海賊【ロ】スカンクの嘆き二巻
話題特急
☆―イタリー使節団を迎えた釜山港は満港花束と万国旗の波で飾られた。防共の盟邦を迎えるこの日、皮肉にも使節団の頭上に赤色ロシアの国旗が一枚ひらめいていた。
☆―数万の群集は誰も日章旗と伊太利国旗との間にひらめくこの赤旗に気が付いた人はなかった。
☆―使節団員の一人がふとそれを見て『日伊親善のこの日こんなバカなことはない』と憤慨したが。
☆―これを聞いた団長パ侯ニコニコしながら『日の丸と我国旗との間にぶらさがった赤旗は両方から押されて早晩ペシャンコになる象徴だよ』
京城のカメラ総動員
きょう、春の撮影会
第一会場：德壽宮、午前九時からモデルは朝鮮美人多数出場いたします。
第二会場：昌慶苑、午後一時からモデルは内地美人です。
【注意】三脚は両会場共使用できません。
主催：全朝鮮写真聯盟
Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea
See also:
- Part 1 of Fascist Italian Delegation Coverage (link)
- Part 2 of Fascist Italian Delegation Coverage (link)
- Coverage of Nazi German newspaper delegation in Korea, May 1939 (link)
- Coverage of Fascist Spain's delegation in Korea, July 1940 (link)
