Elderly Korean farmer Kim Chi-gu (김치구, 金致龜) featured in 1943 article fervently donating 150,000 kg of rice to the Imperial Japanese Army every year and receiving honors from Prime Minister Tojo at a formal awards ceremony in Haeju

I wanted to share an intriguing article that I recently came across in an old issue of the Keijo Nippo newspaper, a known propaganda tool for the Imperial Japanese regime during their colonial rule over Korea from 1905 to 1945. This particular article, from 1943, a time marked by the Pacific War and significant food shortages, shines a light on a Korean farmer from Bongsan-gun, Hwanghae province—now part of North Korea.

Original Caption: Patriotic Elder Mr. Kim Chi-gu (top photo), with his eldest son Kim Hyang-gwan (향관, 享寛) (right photo) and his second son Kim Hyang-cheol (향철, 享喆) (left photo)

The article narrates the tale of a farmer who committed to donating an enormous amount of rice—1,000 koku annually (about 150,000 kg) for a decade, starting in December 1938. Typically, stories in this newspaper featured middle to upper-class Koreans as exemplars of loyalty to the Japanese regime, but this one interestingly focuses on a farmer. What makes this story even more unique is the scale of the donation during a time when food scarcity was rampant, and the colonial authorities were desperate to boost agricultural output.

Given the context and the fact that this was a period of harsh exploitation under Japanese rule, the narrative of voluntary large-scale contributions to the Japanese military raises questions. The farmer, described as a model patriot, was likely a wealthy landlord with numerous tenant farmers, which possibly allowed him to make such substantial contributions.

The ceremony awarding him took place in Haeju, also in present-day North Korea. One can only imagine the real motivations and pressures behind such a donation. Given the socio-political dynamics and the subsequent Soviet occupation of the region post-1945, the fate of this farmer, if he didn't manage to flee south, could have been dire under the new communist regime.

What was the real story behind this farmer's "generosity"? This article seems to raise more questions than answers.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) April 6, 1943

Minister of the Imperial Army Bestows an Award Upon the Patriotic Elder

The Patriotic Elder Has Two Sons

Continued Devotion to Donating Rice for Military Use

Born in the Imperial nation, yet unable to serve in its conquests due to age and frailty, the Patriotic Elder felt the bitter sadness of his unfulfilled duty. A fierce war was raging over the horizon, yet he was allowed to live in relative peace. This made him feel inspired to find a way to somehow repay this Imperial favor which had allowed him to live in such tranquility.

At the end of 1938, the elderly farmer, Mr. Kim Chi-gu (김치구, 金致龜) inspired the military with his pledge to donate ten thousand koku of tenant-farmed rice for military use. This noble act of the Patriotic Korean Elder of Weolsan-ri (월산리, 月山里) in Sain-myeon (사인면, 舍人面), Bongsan-gun (봉산군, 鳳山郡), Hwanghae province, ignited a patriotic fervor among the twenty-four million inhabitants of the Korean peninsula. Five years later, halfway towards fulfilling his original pledge, he still continues to contribute his annual commitment of one thousand koku of rice with each plentiful autumn harvest, and with each contribution, he receives an appreciation certificate. Deeply moved, the Minister of the Imperial Army upgraded this appreciation certificate to a splendid commendation certificate, not only bestowing shining glory upon the Patriotic Elder, but also deeply stirring the hearts of everyone who learned about the full extent of the Patriotic Elder's resolve. [Photo= Patriotic Elder Mr. Kim Chi-gu (top photo), with his eldest son Kim Hyang-gwan (향관, 享寛) (right photo) and his second son Kim Hyang-cheol (향철, 享喆) (top left)]

The story traces back five years. As the Manchurian Incident escalated daily, the valiant efforts of the Imperial troops heralded the robust construction of the Greater East Asia New Order. The Patriotic Elder could no longer sit still in the face of the valiant battles fought by the frontline soldiers and the precious cornerstones of national defense. Starting out as a mere poor farmer, he devoted himself to frugality and hard work, treading on frost in the morning and under the stars at night, challenging the soil to increase and multiply his rice production. He worked himself to the bone and amassed a great fortune in one generation. The pure and honest heart that guided Mr. Kim Chi-gu, a straightforward and devoted farmer, throughout his life, would not allow him to remain passive.

He wrote his donation pledge as follows: "Though my body is already frail and worn, there is no postponing my expression of gratitude to the Imperial favor. As a sign of my devotion to the nation, although modest, I will select the finest rice from my harvest and pledge to donate one thousand koku each year for the next ten years, totaling ten thousand koku of rice for military use. To do so, I will eat potatoes, chew on their skins, and subsist on grass roots. If even a single grain of rice can support the soldiers who are currently fighting, and my feelings are understood, then my joy and my sign of gratitude will be fulfilled." Leaning on his cane, he visited the Japanese Korean Army on the snowy day of December 19, 1938, his donation pledge held close to his body.

"I, though frail and near the end of my life, commit to donating ten thousand koku as military rice. Please accept this humble offering," he continued in this donation pledge written with such moving words with such resolve. "Starting today, I will donate one thousand koku annually until I reach the age of eighty-eight, by which time the total donated amount should be ten thousand koku. Should I pass before then, my two sons, Hyang-gwan and Hyang-cheol, will surely continue this commitment." The Patriotic Elder's firm resolve was entrusted to his sons, sealing their joint commitment in the pledge.

Over five years, each December 19th, one thousand koku of military rice was donated, soon adding up to five thousand koku, amounting to a significant value of 206,527 yen and 8 sen.

The Patriotic Elder, still vibrant and hopeful, looks forward to donating the remaining five thousand koku of rice. His good deeds profoundly moved Minister Tōjō, and three days ago, the Patriotic Elder's sincere devotion was rewarded with a commendation certificate. Representing the Minister of the Imperial Army, Director Kuramo of the Korean Army Military Press Department, accompanied by Captain Hirai of the Patriotic Department, visited Haeju. In the presence of Director Uchida of the Interior Department at the governor's office, a formal award ceremony was conducted, bestowing shining honor upon the deeply moved Patriotic Elder.

Returning five days later following the award ceremony, Director Kuramo spoke highly of Mr. Kim Chi-gu's actions: "Starting from nothing, the elder rose to greatness. Driven by an unstoppable patriotic fervor and a desire to express his gratitude, he resolved to donate one thousand koku of military rice annually. Entrusting this sincere mission to his beloved children due to his old age, his commitment deeply moves and fills us with gratitude. The elder is also profoundly understanding in educational matters and shows deep warmth towards tenant farmers, revered like a benevolent father. Now, as we enter the autumn season of increased food production, let us emulate his noble efforts, live up to the true way of farming, and fervently contribute to the victorious prosecution of the Sacred War."

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年4月6日

愛国翁へ陸軍大臣の表彰

我になお二児あり

熱誠続く軍用米献納

皇国に生を享けて征けぬ身の悲しさ、しかも既に齢老廃の域にあり、身を挺して感恩報国のたたずまいも叶わぬだが激しい戦争が地平線の果てで続けられているとき自分は安穏な暮らしを許されている。何とかしてこの皇恩に報いねばならぬ、と感奮。

昭和十三年の暮れ、小作米一万石を軍用米として献納を発願した半島の愛国翁黄海道鳳山郡舍人面月山里豪農金致龜氏の善行は当時軍部を感激させ、その麗しい至誠は半島二千四百万の愛国の熱情に火を点じた。あれから五年、出来秋とともに翁の発願した年一千石宛の献納は続けられ、その都度の感謝状は今度は陸軍大臣の胸をうち晴れの表彰状授与となり、念願の半ばとはいえ、輝く栄光を担うとともに翁の発願した決意の全貌が判り聴く人毎の感激を呼んでいる。【写真＝愛国翁金致龜氏（上）、と長男享寛（右）、次男享喆（左）の二児】

話は五年前に遡る。支那事変は逐日拡大して皇軍の戦果はあがり大東亜新秩序の逞しき建設調は奏でられる。第一線将兵の勇戦と尊い護国の礎石に対して翁はもうじっとしてはいられなかった。身を一介の貧農に起しひたすら勤倹力行、朝は霜を踏み夕には星を頂いて土に挑んで増米殖産に身を粉にして働き、一代で巨万の富をなした実直一徹な農夫致龜翁の一生を貫いた清純な気持ちが許さなかったのである。

「既に身は老廃しているが、皇恩に報ずるは今日を描いてない、この殉国のしるしにまことに零細ではあるが、今年から向かう十ヶ年間自分の収穫米の中から優良米を選んで毎年一千石宛一万石を軍用米として献納しよう、芋を食べ皮を噛み草の根を食べて、いま戦っている皇軍将兵に一粒の米でもよい、私の気持ちが通ってくれたら自分の喜びは、報恩のしるしは達するであろう」と杖に身を託して献納趣意書を懐に朝鮮軍を訪ねたのは雪降る十三年十二月十九日だった。

「余生幾許もない老廃の身に報恩の記しとして零細ながら一万石を献米いたします。軍用米として受納して下さい」と決心を書きこめた趣意書は胸をつく文字で埋められてある。「発願した今日から年一千石宛を献米すれば、私の齢が八十八の米寿に達した頃にはきっと一万石になるでしょう。しかし万一私の寿命が続かないときは、私には長男、次男の二児があります。この二人長男享寛、次男享喆が必ず必ず代って献納いたします」。翁の決意は同じ征けぬ身二児に至誠の後事を託しての鉄の決意が秘められ、連署しての趣意書だった。

年遷って五年、毎年師走の十九日には一千石の軍用米が献納され、その量早くも五千石に達し、価格にして二十万六千五百二十七円八銭の巨額にのぼっている。

そして翁はなお燦燦たる元気で念願の残る五千石の献米を楽しみにしている。この善行は今回東条陸軍大臣をいたく感激させ、翁の赤誠また報いられて表彰状の下附となった去る三日、陸軍大臣代理として朝鮮軍倉茂報道部長は愛国部平井大尉を伴って海州を訪れ、府尹室において内田内務部長立会して晴れの授与式を行い、感激あふれる翁は、ここに輝く誉れを担ったのであった。

表彰状授与式に臨み五日帰任した倉茂報道部長は金致龜翁の善行を讃えて語る。「赤手空拳、一度に身を起した翁が今日の大をなすとともに愛国の熱意止みがたく報恩のしるしにと毎年一千石の軍用米献納を思い立ち、老いの身故に遺志を愛児に託してのこの至誠はわれわれ胸をうたえるとともに感謝の念に耐えない。翁はまた教育方面にも理解深く、小作人に対しても温情深く、慈父のように仰がれている。いまや食糧増産の秋、翁の尊き努力に倣って真の農道に活き報国の熱意を沸らせて聖戦必勝に挺身されたい」。

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-04-06/page/n1/mode/1up

Niece of Korean collaborator nobleman Yoon Deok-yeong (윤덕영, 尹徳栄) was featured in 1939 article declaring ‘I really want to marry a Japanese man’ and adopting the Japanese surname ‘Izu’ to improve her marriage prospects

The following article from 1939 features a young 21-year-old Korean woman celebrating her newly given ability to change her surname to a Japanese one so that she can find a Japanese husband more easily. 

Miss Yoon Hee-yeong smiling as she reads about the November 1939 decree in the Keijo Nippo Newspaper.

This story was presumably published to encourage Koreans to adopt Japanese last names in the wake of a November 1939 ordinance that was issued to require the creation of Japanese family names for all Koreans.

This young Korean woman was not just any woman, but the niece of a prominent Korean nobleman, Yoon Deok-yeong (윤덕영, 尹徳栄), who is widely reviled in Korea today as a pro-Japanese collaborator. Even being a distant relative of the prominent nobleman appeared to confer advantages for her, since she was able to find employment at Sanseido, a renowned publishing company known for its dictionaries.

Published in Keijo Nippo, the colonial newspaper and official mouthpiece of the Imperial Japanese government that ruled Korea from 1905 to 1945, one propaganda purpose of this article was probably to encourage Korean women to adopt Japanese surnames by enticing them with the prospect of attracting Japanese men more easily. Another propaganda purpose was probably to encourage Japanese men to consider marrying Korean women, as a part of the overall Japanese-Korean Unification (naisen ittai, 内鮮一体) policy of Imperial Japan.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) November 14, 1939

A hopeful start toward the unification of the "family system" [4]

"I really want to marry a Japanese man," says Miss Yoon, relieved from her worries

"It is quite absurd to have two surnames within the same country. Having two surnames naturally divides people, doesn't it? The Japanese language is used as the standard language, while the Korean language is only for home use. Furthermore, Korean is just a local language understood only by people like my parents who don't know the standard language."

Miss Yoon Hee-yeong (윤희영, 尹嬉栄) lives in 2-47 Gye-dong, Seoul, and she is a 21-year-old employee of Sanseido Seoul branch. She continues with glistening eyes:

"If any man comes and spends time in Korea for a year or two, he would understand the merits of Korean women. However, Japanese men judge women merely for having surnames like 'Yoon' or 'Lee', failing to see the goodness within those names."

"It's wrong to dislike someone just based on labels," Miss Yoon argued, her eyes widening slightly. Miss Yoon was born in Gye-dong, Seoul, as the eldest daughter of Yoon Byeong-gu (윤병구, 尹丙求), who is the brother of the great nobleman Yoon Deok-yeong (윤덕영, 尹徳栄). After graduating with honors from Gyeonggi Girls' High School in March 1937, she helped with household chores, sewing, and flower arrangement for about a year.

But she realized that it was hard to get a real-world education unless she went out into the streets. Bravely deciding to join the women's professional front, she started working as a clerk at a branch of Sanseido in Hasegawa-chō (present-day Sogong-ro) in Seoul last December.

On the 31st of last month, even when her colleague Kenjirō Yamamuro (27 years old) was honored with military deployment, Miss Yoon stayed up late at the entrance of Honmachi District, sewing a Sen'ninbari amulet, which deeply moved Mr. Yamamuro.

"Instead of saying that Miss Yoon sent the Sen'ninbari amulet, doesn't it sound more pleasing to the ear with better rhythm if you say that Miss Izu sent the amulet?" Miss Yoon explained. She had never thought about marriage during her school days, but now she feels that it is not a bad time to start considering it at her age. Lately, she occasionally dreams of the future. However, her beautiful dreams had always been marred by the impossibility of changing her surname to a Japanese one.

"If I am really permitted to do so, I'd like to marry a Japanese man … but with my current surname, it's tough," Miss Yoon repeatedly contemplates and agonizes. However, a groundbreaking decree that instantly alleviated the worries of a generation of young women across the Korean peninsula was finally issued. Holding the evening edition of the Keijo Nippo Newspaper from the 9th, Miss Yoon began to worry again while, at the same time, she suppressed the excitement in her chest. Her two cheerful worries were about how to persuade her father and what Japanese surname to choose, leading to her delightful worries about marriage.

[Photo caption: Miss Yoon pondering her cheerful worries]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1939年11月14日

”家族制度”一体へ希望の門出（四）

”妾ほんとは内地の方と結婚したいのですが”

悩みを解消した尹さん

いくら考えて見ても同じ国の人に名字が二通りあると云うことは可笑しいですわ。名字が二通りもあるから自然色別けがつくのではありませんか。内地語は標準語で朝鮮語は家庭だけに、しかもね、標準語を知らないお父さんやお母さんだけに通用する地方語ですもの。

京城桂洞町２の４７、三省堂京城出張所員尹嬉栄さん（２１）はうるんだ瞳を輝かしながら、つづけるのである。

朝鮮に来ていて一、二年経った人なら半島女性の良さも解って呉れるのですが、内地におる方等は名字が「尹」や「李」であるだけで、もうその「尹」や「李」のうちにある良さを見だそうとしないのですわ。

レッテルだけ見て喰わず嫌いになるのはレッテルがいけないのですわ。尹さんはややムキになって細い目尻を大きくした。尹さんは京城桂洞町で朝鮮の名門尹徳栄子爵の遠縁（叔父さんに当たる）尹丙求氏の長女として生れた。昭和十二年三月、京畿高女を優秀な成績で卒業すると一年間ばかり家事の手伝いやお裁縫やお花の稽古をした。

しかし実社会の生きた教育は街頭に出なければ分からない。ここで勇ましくも婦人職業戦線へと意を決し昨年十二月府内長谷川町の三省堂出張所へ事務員として働くことになったのである。

去る三十一日、同僚山室健二郎君（２７）が名誉の出征をした時でも夜遅くまで本町入口に立って千人針を縫って山室君を感激させたこともある。

「あの千人針にしても尹が贈ったんじゃなく、例えば伊豆が贈ったといえば耳に聞こえるリズムもよくはありません？」尹さんは説明する。女学校時代には未だ結婚のことなど考えたことがなかったが、もうそろそろ考えても悪くない年になって来た。この頃は時々未来の夢を描いて見ることがある。しかし、何時も麗しい夢を展ずのは内地式に名字は変えられないかということ、これだけであった。

「私、ほんとうに許して呉れるのなら内地の方と．．．、名字がこれではね」

尹さんは何べんも考えては悶えるのだった。しかし全半島の若い世代を代表する女性達の悩みを一挙に消し飛ばした爆弾制令は遂に発布された。九日京日夕刊を手にした尹さんは躍る胸を押さえながら、またも悩み出したのである。二つの朗らかな悩みを、一つはお父さんを何と口説こうかということと、他の一つは何という内地姓にするかという、悩みを、それは結婚への楽しい悩みにつながるのだが．．．【写真＝朗らかな悩みを悩む尹さん】

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1939-11-14/page/n12/mode/1up

The Lim Family portrayed as happy, model pro-Japanese Koreans eagerly sending their eldest son Yeongjo to enlist in the ‘honorable’ Imperial Army as his little sister Imako-chan frolics with joy (Dec. 1943)

The Lim Family

This article introduces us to the Lims, portrayed as the ideal Korean family under Japanese rule. The Lims are portrayed as fervently patriotic towards Imperial Japan, eagerly preparing to send their eldest son to fight for the Emperor. The mother is described as worrying whether her son will pass the physical examination required for enlistment in the Imperial Army. This portrayal starkly contrasts with what might be a more common anxiety for Korean mothers today: Suneung college entrance exams.

This piece is just one of the many news articles that I have been uncovering and documenting as part of a broader project to better understand the Korean colonial experience from previously unexplored angles, especially this colonial newspaper that time has mostly forgotten and neglected. By examining these articles, I hope to uncover additional new perspectives into the colonial era of Korean history, which is generally seen as a dark period of national humiliation by the Korean people. I also hope to share additional insights into how the colonial regime sought to shape Korean society and how Korean individuals and families navigated the challenges of life under Imperial Japanese rule.

Almost exactly 2 years later on December 8, 1945, the Korean editors of the newly liberated Keijo Nippo newspaper published a scathing editorial decrying the crimes, injustices, and inhumanities perpetrated by Imperial Japan, including conscription like this one.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) December 10, 1943

Awaiting the Day When He Passes His Exam

The Joyful Family of Mr. Lim

Visiting the Home of a Student Soldier (Last Part of the Series)

Mr. Lim Yeongjo (림영조, 林栄造) and his family reside at No. 90, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, and the whole family is radiating a bright ambiance. The home of student soldier Yeongjo is also where his father, Mr. Lim Keol (림걸, 林傑), and his mother, Yeongji (영지, 令枝), both not yet over forty-five years old, are in good health. Aside from Yeongjo, the eldest son, he has a younger brother Yusu (유수, 有秀), who is a fifth-year student at Susong (수송, 壽松) National School, and an adorable younger sister, Imako-chan, who attends kindergarten. They are playfully making such a commotion that passersby in the neighborhood cannot help but murmur, "Something significant must have happened in this house."

"I will also go to war following my brother," Imako-chan innocently blurts out. At that point, Yusu interjects, "You can't because you're a girl. War is scary, you know." "It's not scary at all. My brother is a strong soldier, so if I hold his hand, nothing bad will happen," she retorts. "She is always this lively, leaving us no peace. Ha ha ha..." Mr. Lim Keol, a father devoted to the Military Nation, never takes his delighted eyes off his exuberant children. Ignoring the severe cold of winter, it seems that spring has arrived for only this family alone.

This cheerful scene has been repeated every morning and evening since Yeongjo volunteered with a fervent wish to join the honorable Imperial Army. "Even if the children are happy, their joy doesn't quite reach me yet, because I'm anxious about whether he will pass his upcoming examination," his mother Yeongji later said, filled with a mother's typical worries. "If he fails his examination, he can't become a soldier, right?" Up until now, Imako-chan, who had been frolicking, suddenly starts to cry.

"Exactly. More than anyone, our Yeongjo must pass his examination for the sake of his sister and brother. His glorious examination starts on the 11th, but I'm so worried. Ever since he volunteered to be a part of the glorious Imperial Army, I, as his mother, have never felt such a thrilling joy, nor have I ever experienced such anxiety waiting for the day of his examination, to the point where I cannot sleep well at night.

While mothers in mainland Japan are dedicating one, two, or even three to five children to the battlefield for the completion of the Holy War, we mothers on the Korean peninsula have continued to feel ashamed and embarrassed. But now, under the clear blue sky, we Korean mothers can finally walk proudly as mothers of the Military Nation. However, all of this means nothing if he does not pass the examination. I believe this feeling is shared not just by me but by all mothers of new heroes on the Korea peninsula," his mother Yeongji elaborates, watching her child, the student soldier, playfully bounce around with his siblings before going to school.

"Brother, let's go quickly," Yusu calls out, having left a step ahead. "Yeah, let's go," Yeongjo responds. Yeongjo will go to school to build up his martial arts skills, aiming for certain victory in passing the important examination that awaits him tomorrow. Imako-chan is still playfully clinging to the back of her student soldier brother. Standing to see them off, the father and mother murmur, "We look forward to the day when we can send him off to enlist with pride." "Are you and mom just going to send us off here? I'm going to carry the flag and go to the train station," Yusu adds, prompting a burst of laughter. [Photo = The Family Sending Off Yeongjo]

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-12-10/page/n5/mode/1up

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年12月10日

待つ”合格の日”

喜び沸く林君の一家

学兵の家庭を訪ねて（終）

林栄造君、明専（京城府鐘路区寛勲町九〇）朗色に充ち溢れた学兵林栄造の家庭は又父傑氏母令枝さんが四十五を越さない若さで健在し、長男栄造君の下には壽松国民校五年の有秀君と幼稚園に通っている可愛い妹の今子ちゃんがきゃっきゃっと騒ぎ、まわり近所を通る人をして「この家はずいぶんと厳かなことがあったらしい」と呟かせずにはおかないのであった。

「アタイも兄ちゃんについて戦争に行くんだ」今子ちゃんは無邪気を連発する。そこへ有秀君が「お前なんか女の子だから駄目だよ。戦争って怖いんだぞ」と横槍を入れてみせる。「怖くなんかないよ。家の兄ちゃんは強い兵隊さんだから兄ちゃんに手をつないでいれば、なんでもないのよ」何時もこんな風でうるさくて仕様がないんですよ。ハハハ．．．とは打ちはしゃぐ我が子の上にさも愉快そうな瞳を外さない軍国の父傑氏である。峻烈な寒さの冬をよそにして、この一家だけには春がきたようだ。

この明朗な風景は栄造君が念願を叶って名誉ある帝国人軍に志願してからというもの毎日の朝晩繰り返されているという。「今度の検査に合格してみなければ子供達が嬉しがっていても、その喜びが不安で身について来ないんですよ」と母の令枝さんが後で母らしい心配に満ちて一寸曇らせていう。「検査って落ちたら、兄ちゃん兵隊さんになれないの」。今のそれまではしゃいでいた今子ちゃんがみるみる泣きべそ掻いて来る。

「この通りですよ。誰よりも家の栄造はこの妹や弟のためにも合格させなければなりません。栄光の検査は十一日からだそうですけれど心配でなりません。これが誉輝く皇軍の一員に志願してからというものは私は母としてこんなに胸弾む喜びを経験したこともまたないし、検査の日を待つ心配もはじめてのことで、夜もおちおち眠れないのです。

お国を挙げて聖戦完遂のために内地の母親が我が子を一人はおろか二人三人中には五人も揃って戦場に捧げているというのに、私たち半島の母たちは肩身の狭い思いをしつづけていましたが、私たちもいよいよ青天白日の下晴れて大手を振り軍国の母として歩けるのです。それもこれも今度の検査に合格させなくては何にもなりません。これは私ばかりではなく、半島の新しいつわものの母の共通な心持だろうと思います」と令枝さんは登校前を弟妹たちと一しきりはしゃぎ弾む学兵の我が子を見つめて諄々と語るのだった。

「兄ちゃん早く行こうよ」一足先に出立った有秀君の声がする。「ああ行こう」栄造君は明日に控える晴れの検査に合格必勝を目ざして錬武を積む登校をするのだ。今子ちゃんは未だ学兵の背に戯れかかる。見送りに立った父や母は、「晴れて出征をこうして見送る日が楽しみですよ」と呟く。「お父さんとお母さんはここで見送っておしまい？僕は旗を持って駅まで行くんだ」と有秀君の一矢、どっと爆笑が挙った。【写真＝栄造君を送る一家】

Model Korean mother left baby and bedridden husband behind at home to work as a clerk for Imperial Japanese Army, praised by boss for happily working overtime, early morning to late at night for 1/3 the usual pay without complaining, even when so exhausted she couldn't see straight (Feb. 1944)

Original caption: Mrs. Ahn reviewing the de-registration records.

This article features Mrs. Ahn, a Seoul native, who in the midst of war, leaves behind her baby and bedridden husband to work as a clerk for the Imperial Japanese Army, presumably handling paperwork for newly enlisted soldiers. Notably, her 7-year-old daughter is tasked with caring for her 2-year-old son, a decision that seems quite extreme by today's standards.

Initially, I surmised that Mrs. Ahn was married to a Japanese man with the surname Hirahara, as they were wed ten years prior to 1944, in 1934. This was before the Sōshi Kaimei, the period when Koreans adopted Japanese-style names en masse. However, I now harbor doubts about this assumption. The reason for my skepticism lies in the name of their son, Huichang, which is so distinctively Korean. This raises the possibility that the newspaper may have 'retroactively' claimed that the family went by the Hirahara name in 1934, even though they might not have adopted that name yet at that time.

Mrs. Ahn's portrayal in the article brings to mind the iconic Rosie the Riveter from the U.S. World War II era. However, unlike Rosie, who symbolized the American women working in manufacturing and production during the war, Mrs. Ahn is depicted as a clerk. Yet, both characters represent women stepping into roles traditionally held by men due to the demands of a global conflict. Mrs. Ahn is shown working longer, harder, and more efficiently than her colleagues, while accepting only a third of the standard pay. By contemporary standards, this portrayal seems to endorse a very toxic work culture, one that valorizes excessive work hours, underpayment, and overwhelming workloads, all in the name of national duty and conservation during the war. It makes me wonder just how much of an impact Imperial Japan's legacy might have had in shaping the work cultures of modern Japanese and Korean societies.

Such representations of 'model workers' were not uncommon in propaganda campaigns globally, but Imperial Japan's approach, particularly its praise for workers who eagerly accept lower wages on top of longer working hours, might be quite unique. Have you ever encountered any other piece of propaganda, anywhere in the world, where the model worker is praised for accepting lower wages?

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 5, 1944

Taking Over for Her Sick Husband, Mrs. Ahn Fights Three Times as Hard in Public Service

Working Women [Part 6]

Mrs. Ahn was at home where the warmth of the ondol barely kept the chill at bay. After putting her ten-month-old baby to sleep and attending to her bedridden husband, she boldly declared, 'To defeat the British and American beasts, I must devote myself to public service with all my might!' She cast aside her traditional role and, holding a pen in her hand at the Yongsan District Office, she impressively completed 120 copies of family register transcripts per day, astonishing her male colleagues with her patriotic fervor as a Korean woman.

Mrs. Ahn Gi-jeong (안기정, 安基貞), a 28-year-old resident of Jongno-gu, Doryeom-dong, was born in Seoul, the heart of the Korean Peninsula. She honed her virtues of a good wife and wise mother at the prestigious Gyeonggi Girls High School. Ten years ago, she married into the Hirahara family, building an enviable and harmonious household. Unexpectedly, a few years ago, her husband, the pillar of their family, fell ill. However, with determination and grit, she tirelessly cared for him through the nights without sleep, bravely battling through the ordeal of nursing him to health. Through her tireless care, he is on the path to recovery, just as the massive cannons of the annihilation campaign against the Anglo-Saxons are tearing through heaven and earth like thunderclouds booming on a clear day. In this era, men born in the Empire resoundingly march through the military gates to the beat of their military boots, while women, in place of men, sweat profusely on the production frontlines. She, too, is a woman of the Empire.

Her patriotic sincerity blazes like a flame, which led her to put an end to her indoor, anbang life. 'If my husband cannot serve, I will work twice as hard in his place,' she declared, looking resolute in her navy blue office uniform. Last summer, amid the rainy season, she took up a position in the Yongsan District Office's Family Register and Military Affairs Section. Comforting her two-year-old son, Huichang (희창, 煕昶), who clung to her and refused to leave her breast, she entrusted him to the care of her seven-year-old daughter, Aehui (애희, 愛姫). Starting work at her desk in the district office early in the morning, she immerses herself in her intense job at the office, staying well past 5 PM when most of the office employees leave work. Due to the current state of affairs, the Family Register and Military Affairs Section is so busy that they would even welcome the help of a cat's paw, making it not uncommon for her special duties to continue late into the night.

A glance at her attendance book shows it filled with red marks, half of which are overlaid with a purple stamp indicating 'special duty'. Her physical frame may be slender, but her spirit is robust; she has not missed a single day, akin to the diligence of an ox. Although it is not rare for employees to be diligent, she stands out for processing a large volume of 120 transcripts a day with lightning speed. Moreover, it is astonishing that, unlike the clock’s hands that may err, her writing is completely free of mistakes.

Mr. Tokumaru, the chief of the Family Register and Military Affairs Section, his cheeks flushed with emotion, said, 'If we were to pay a copywriter five sen per page for the amount of work Mrs. Ahn does in a month, it would cost 180 yen in monthly wages. However, Mrs. Ahn's salary is about a third of that. It’s not about the financial bottom line, but it can be considered a way of saving the expenses of the nation in wartime. Mrs. Ahn herself never dreams of criticizing the compensation for her skills. She minimizes her own living expenses and silently spreads fireworks at the tip of her pen. She is truly a treasure of our district office and an example of selfless public service'.

Mrs. Ahn, who passionately speaks of her patriotism for the Korean Peninsula, humbly says, 'When I return home after special duty, sometimes I am so tired that the telephone poles seem to double when I look at them. However, when I think of the brave soldiers of the Imperial Army, who, despite gunfire and heavy rain, fight with the lightness of goose feathers and wield demon-slaying swords in order to accomplish the grand undertaking of this unprecedented era, my fatigue seems insignificant. I fervently wish that more Korean women will take up the important task of supporting the holy war effort, and courageously spread sparks of struggle on the battleline of the workplace.' [Photo = Mrs. Ahn reviewing the de-registration records]

Industrial Association Discussion: At Yongsan Station, a regular discussion meeting was held in the instruction room at 2 PM on February 5th, inviting 170 members of the Seoul Iron and Steel Industrial Association to ensure full preparation for increased production.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年2月5日

病床の夫に代りで奉公

人の三倍も闘い抜く安さん

はたらく女性【６】

肌に粟の生ずる温突に、産声をあげて十ヶ月の幼児と病床の夫をねかし『米鬼英畜を撃つには、公務に粉骨砕身すべきだ』と颯爽と旧套をぬぎすて龍山区役所でペンを握り一日戸籍抄本百二十枚を書きのけ、有髯の男子を唖然たらしめる愛国半島女性がいる。

鐘路区都染町安基貞さん（二八）は半島の心臓部京城に生れ秀才の集る京畿高女で良妻賢母の婦徳を磨き、十年前に平原氏に嫁ぎ、よそ目もうらやましい和やかな家庭を築いて来たが意外にも数年前、大黒柱である主人が病み出した。歯を食いしばって夜も眠らず看病に敢闘した甲斐あって、日に日に見違えるほど恢復路を辿りつつある際、晴天にとどろいた群雲の如くアングロサクソン撃滅の巨砲は天地をつんざき、皇国に生をうけた男子は軍靴の響き高らかに軍門をくぐり、女性は男に代って生産戦線に熱汗を流す時代となった。彼女も皇国女性である。

愛国の至誠は焰と燃えあがり、遂に内房生活を清算したのである。『主人が御奉公出来ねば、私がその代り二倍も働こう』と紺の事務服姿も凛々しく龍山区役所戸籍兵務課に職を奉じたのは梅雨のふりしきる昨夏のことであった。乳房を離れまいと泣きつく煕昶君（二つ）をなだめては七つになる姉、愛姫ちゃんにおんぶさせて家をあとにし、早朝から区役所の机にかじりつき、血のにじむ激務に没頭するのだ。夕刻五時には一般職員は退庁するものの、時局柄戸籍兵務課は猫の手も借りたいほど忙しいので深夜まで特勤のつづく日も稀ではない。

出勤簿をのぞいて見れば赤印で埋まり、その赤印の半数は『特勤』と紫印が重ねて押されている。線は細いが精神力は旺盛なのか、一日も欠勤はないという牛のように勤勉な職員は決して珍しくないが、一日に抄本を百二十枚の多量を電光石火のように処理するのは花形安さんだけという。而も時計の針には、くるいがあっても安さんの字には誤字が皆無というから、なお驚く。

徳丸戸籍兵務課長は感激に両頬を紅潮させる乍ら語る。『安さんが一ヶ月働く仕事の量を一枚書くのに五銭をはらって雇う写字生に頼むと百八十円の月給をはらうことになるが、安さんの俸給はその三分の一位で、ソロバン勘定ではないが、決戦下国費の節約ともいえます。当の安さんは自分の技術に対する報酬の批判は夢にもせず自己の生活は最小限に切り下げ黙々とペン先に花火を散らす彼女こそ我が区役所の宝であり、滅私奉公の亀鑑でしょう』

愛国半島のため万丈の気焰を吐く安さんは謙遜して語る。『特勤して帰宅の際は疲れたせいか、電信柱が二つに見える時もありますが、しかし曠世の鴻業を完遂せんがために硝煙強雨のなか身を鴻毛の軽きにおき、降魔の利剣をふるう皇軍勇士を考えれば何ともありません。半島女性も一日も早く一人でも多く、聖業翼賛の重責を双肩に担い、勇躍職場戦線に敢闘の火花を散らすよう熱願しております』【写真＝除籍簿を調べる安さん】

工業組員懇談：龍山署では五日昼二時訓示室に京城鉄工工業組合百七十名を招き、定例懇談会を開催。増産陣の万全を期することになった。

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1944-02-05/page/n3/mode/1up

Park Deuk-hyeon (박득현/朴得鉉) became a communist activist in 1928 as a student in Tokyo and struggled against colonial rule for a decade until he 'repented' and became an avowed Imperialist upon seeing his Japanese sister-in-law's 'exalted spiritual love' toward his ailing mother and brother

This article is about Park Deuk-hyeon (박득현, 朴得鉉), a Korean communist activist who was involved in resistance activities against Imperial Japan for a decade in the late 1920's and early 1930's until he was captured and ideologically converted to the Imperialist cause while in prison. After his release from prison, his probation officer rehabilitated him in a work program and then arranged for him to marry a Japanese woman. He eventually became a leading collaborator preaching the Imperial Way to the Korean people.

However, there are some factual discrepancies between online Korean sources and this article. Born in 1907, he graduated from high school in Seoul. In 1926, he went to college in Tokyo to study political science and economics. But while a Korean source says that he studied at Nihon University, this article states that he studied at Waseda University. As a student, he joined the communist party and was later involved in various labor movements and resistance efforts against colonial rule. The article suggests that he was arrested in 1928 during the Marxist-Leninist (ML) Party Incident, which was when the Communist Party of Korea was destroyed by Imperial Japanese authorities, and stayed in prison until he was released in 1937. On the other hand, another Korean source says he was arrested in 1928, released in 1931, and then rearrested in 1933.

Such ideological conversions (Tenkō process) of socialists and communists were common throughout Imperial Japan between 1925 and 1945, ever since the Peace Preservation Law was enacted to allow the Special Higher Police to more effectively suppress socialists and communists. It may be that the authorities noticed his charismatic personality as a student leader in the communist movement with prominent contacts in the Japan Communist Party, such as Sano Manabu (1892-1953) and Nabeyama Sadachika (1901-1979), as well as in the Communist Party of Korea, and so they decided to flip him and cultivate him as an influencer to reach out to his former comrades in the Korean community.

There seems to be a lot of articles about Park Deuk-hyeon online in Korean, but the information that I gleaned is very limited, as I relied on machine translations to skim through them. Unfortunately, my Korean skills are only at a very basic level, about halfway done through a Duolingo course.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) November 6, 1939

A former red insurgent is reborn through the familial love of his Japanese wife, who is the embodiment of the ideals of Yamato Nadeshiko

He Set Aside a Decade of Rebellion

His Newlywed Life of Hope

The Quartet of Japanese-Korean Unification for a Prosperous Asia

At one time, this man was a red insurgent, taking a misguided path in life under the banner of materialism, until this rebellious child of East Asia was touched by a strong and intense love for humanity that was expressed by a kind and gentle woman who lived up to and beyond the ideals of Yamato Nadeshiko. Her touch revived him by restoring his soul, releasing it from captivity under the Red Devil's control. Currently, this man is continuing his activities providing ideological guidance as he preaches the exalted Japanese spirit to patriotic Koreans on the home front. The following is a heart-warming string quartet of stories in the spirit of Prosperous Asia. [Photo: Park Deuk-hyeon (박득현, 朴得鉉) and his wife Mrs. Saitō Fukuko (above), and Mr. Kodera Tadayuki (below)]

Park Deuk-hyeon

The protagonist of this story is Park Deuk-hyeon, 34 years old, an employee of Miki General Partnership Company who lives at 222-2 Hyoje-dong, Seoul. Park graduated from Seoul First High School in 1923 and entered the Department of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University, where he soon fell completely in love with the Red Ideology. He became active as one of the red leaders under the command of Sano Manabu, Nabeyama Sadachika, and others. In 1928, he was imprisoned for the Marxist-Leninist (ML) Party Incident. After ten years in prison, he returned to freedom in 1937, but he still remained a "red pole".

However, when he returned to his home in Korea, he found that his younger brother, Park Deuk-ryong (박득룡, 朴得龍), had married an ethnic Japanese woman named Tanaka Kimiyo through fortuitous fate. Initially, he looked down at his sister-in-law with feelings of disgust. However, he eventually came to see the lovely truth: Kimiyo not only devoted herself wholeheartedly at her husband's bedside as he battled a lung disease diagnosed by his doctor, but she also devoted herself with filial piety to her mother-in-law, who did not understand Japanese, in a way that she could not do even for her own child. When her mother-in-law was sick, she nursed her without sleeping at night, and she tried to comfort her mother-in-law and her husband by wearing unfamiliar Korean clothes.

The elder brother, Park Deuk-hyeon, was a red insurgent who had felt hatred towards his sister-in-law, but even he was so moved by her precious love for humanity that his steel-like cold heart filled with emotion for the first time, and he could not help but feel his East Asian heart beating again. For the first time in his life, he found in Kimiyo a true and admirable image of human love. He had just seen an admirable Japanese person in real life.

At this moment, he started feeling ashamed of the coldness of his own ideology, for which he had sacrificed himself working so hard for ten years. He bowed his head in deference before Tanaka Kimiyo, the embodiment of humanity, sincerely repenting for the treasonous path that he had taken in the past. He vowed that now was the time to make a fresh start as a respectable Imperial subject. This was not only an ideological conversion, but also a total reassessment of his ethnic Korean consciousness that had been deeply rooted in the back of his mind.

His new life had just begun. Kimiyo was more pleased than anyone else at this time, but there were still two others who were also pleased, one of whom was Kodera Tadayuki, 64 years old, the head of the Miki General Partnership Company in Takezoe-chō, Seoul [in present-day Jung-gu, Chungjeong-ro], and a commissioned officer at the Seoul Probation Office. Kodera got to know Park through the probation office at the time of his return to Korea, telling him, "You have admirable qualities. I will take you into my company and help you experience a rebirth with a sincere heart". Kodera provided Park with 100 yen each month and took care of him as if he were his parent. When his younger brother, Deuk-ryong, passed away in Tokyo from his chronic disease, Kodera took care of all the funeral expenses and showed his love to Park, praying for his rehabilitation from the bottom of his heart.

Mr. Kodera Tadayuki, Mr. Park's probation officer and employer

The other person who was pleased was Judge Fujii, who tried and sentenced Park in the past. Judge Fujii served as a matchmaker, introducing Park to Saitō Fukuko, a beautiful 27-year-old Japanese girl who was the very embodiment of the ideals of Yamato Nadeshiko. The newly reborn former insurgent was now excited by the prospect of living a new life in Prosperous Asia as a patriotic fighter. He is now taking charge as the secretary of the Korean Federation of Ideological Patriotism and is touring all of Korea preaching with the same passion as before, but this time to help Imperial subjects apply the Imperial Japanese vow in their daily lives.

Mrs. Saitō Fukuko, Park Deuk-hyeon's new wife

"I will serve my nation admirably!"

Mr. Park tells his story about his new family:

On the morning of November 5th, when reporters visited Park Deuk-hyeon at his home in Hyoje-dong, he gave his statements with his beautiful new wife at his side.

"Right now, my heart is just filled with hope and faith yearning to serve my nation as a respectable Imperial subject. I believe that we Japanese people of Korean descent should not get too caught up in the theoretical aspects of nationhood. We should just single-mindedly serve with all our hearts and minds under the reality that is expressed by the spirit of the Imperial subjects. The reason why I was able to rediscover my righteous self as I am today is, first of all, due to the great power of the love of my mother, who devoted her life to us three siblings when she became a single mother at the age of 24, and also due to the great inspiration of my sister-in-law, Tanaka Kimiyo's exalted Japanese spiritual love for humanity. I am also indebted to President Kodera for his fatherly understanding, guidance, and generous financial support. I hope and pray that I will never fail to live up to the love of my sister-in-law, Tanaka Kimiyo, and President Kodera."

"What a Fine Young Man!"

Mr. Kodera tells his story:

Mr. Tadayuki Kodera told visiting reporters,

"No, in regards to my feelings toward Mr. Park, I was just fulfilling part of my duties that would have come naturally to any Japanese person. Mr. Park is a fine young man! I think it is more appropriate to call him an Imperial leader of the Korean people rather than an ideological convert. I will do all I can to help him accomplish his great mission."

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1939-11-06

(Transcription)

京城日報　1939年11月6日

大和撫子の家庭愛に蘇る『赤』の闘士

反逆十年を清算

希望の新婚生活

興亜の内鮮一体四重奏

嘗ては唯物論の旗の下に誤れる人生航路を辿り、赤い闘士として反逆した。東洋の反逆児が一人の優しい大和撫子の因習を超越した強く激しい人間愛に触れ赤魔の虜となっていた魂を取り戻して翻然と甦えり、銃後愛国半島に崇高なる日本精神を説きながら思想的指導行動をつづけている。これは興亜的朗話四重奏である。【写真＝上が朴得鉉とその夫人斎藤福子さん、下が小寺忠行氏】

京城孝悌町二二二の二、三木合名会社員朴得鉉（三四）がこの主人公だ。朴君は大正十三年京城第一高等を『卒業』して早稲田大学政経科に入学、間もなく赤い思想にすっかりかぶれた。佐野学、鍋山貞親等の指導下に一方の旗頭として活躍。昭和三年ML党事件で囹圄の身となり、十年の獄舎生活を終えて昭和十二年に自由の世界へ帰っても彼はまだ"赤い棹"であった。

ところが帰鮮した我が家では実弟朴得龍君が偶然な縁から田中喜美代さんという内地女性と『内鮮』結婚をしていた。にがにがしい思いでこの義妹を見ていた朴君だったが、喜美代さんは当時肺病を医師から宣告されていた夫の得龍君に対して血のにじむような愛の苦闘を病床へ捧げるばかりでなく、国語を解せない姑にも我が子にも出来ないような孝養を尽くすのであった。母が病気をして床へつけば、夜も一睡もせず看病し、不馴れな『鮮服』をまとってどうかして母と夫を慰めようとする可憐な真実。

むしろ憎しみすらもって対していた赤い闘士の兄の朴得鉉君も流石この尊い人間愛にぶっつかっては鋼鉄のような冷たい心にも初めて感激の血潮がさし上り、東洋人としての鼓動が胸の中に鳴り出すのをどうすることも出来なかった。彼は生れてはじめて本当の立派な人間愛の姿を喜美代さんの中に見出したのだ。『立派』な日本人の姿を現実に見たのだった。

彼はこの瞬間、十年間も頑張って殉じて来た自分の思想が余りに冷たいのに恥じると共に"人間田中喜美代"の前に頭を下げて思い切り過去の自分が歩いて来た反逆の道を心から懺悔するのだった。今こそ立派な皇国臣民として新しく出発しようと誓った。そして単なる思想的転向だけでなく、彼の『脳裏』に根強くこびりついていた民族意識を総決算したのであった。

新しい人生がはじまった。この時誰よりも喜んだのは喜美代さんだったが、他にもまだ二人いた一人は京城竹添町二丁目三木合名会社長で京城保護観察所嘱託の小寺忠行（六四）だ。小寺氏は朴君が帰鮮した当時、観察所を通じて知り、「立派な素質を持っている。まだ全く生まれ変わるまでに行っていないが、私の会社に入れて私の『真心』で甦らしてあげよう」と毎月百円づつを与えて何や彼と親のように世話した。弟の得龍君が東京で宿痾にたおれた時も葬儀費一切を引き受けて肉身も及ばぬ愛を注いでは朴君の心の底からの更生を祈っていた人である。

もう一人は嘗ての日朴君を裁いた藤井予審判事である。藤井さんは朴君のために斎藤福子さん（二七）という美しい大和撫子を媒酌した。新しく起ち上った闘士はいまや『愛国』闘士にふさわしい興亜的生活設計に胸おどらせながら朝鮮思想報国聯盟の幹事として先頭に立って皇国臣民の誓詞の生活化に昔のままの情熱を注いで全鮮を遊説している。

『御国の為に立派な御奉公』

新家庭の朴君語る

五日朝、孝悌町の自宅へ朴得鉉君を訪えば、美しい新夫人を傍にして語るのだった。

「今の私は、ただ立派な皇国臣民として御国のため御奉公をしたい希望と信念で心が一ぱいです。われわれ半島出身の日本人は、国家観念において理論をはさんではいけないと存じます。ただ皇国臣民の精神の示す現実の下に一心神奉公をすればよいのです。それから私が今日のように正しい自分を見出し得ることが出来たのは、第一に二十四の時に一人になりながら三人兄弟のわれわれのために一生を捧げて下さった母の愛の偉大な力と義妹田中喜美代さんの崇高な日本精神的人間愛の大きい感化によります。そして小寺社長の父のような理解ある指導と寛大な愛情での経済的援助によるのであります。今の私は義妹喜美代さんと小寺社長のあの尊い愛に少しでも反くことのないように生きてゆきたいと日夜願っております」

『立派な青年』

小寺氏語る

また小寺忠行氏を訪えば、

「いや、私の朴君への気持ちは国民として当然な勤めの一端を果しているにすぎません。朴君は立派な青年です。今は転向者というよりも立派な半島民衆への皇民的指導者といった方が適切だと思います。彼のその大きい使命達成のためなら私は出来るかぎりの援助をする心算です」

This Korean family in Seoul donated their metallic tableware in February 1943 to help Imperial Japan's war effort, including their brass Sinseollo (신선로, 神仙爐), a prized cooking vessel that was passed down the generations from their ancestors in the Korean royal court

This article shows a Korean man and his maidservant donating 32 brass items for Imperial Japan's war effort, including a brass Sinseollo (신선로, 神仙爐), a traditional Korean hot pot cooking vessel which was apparently passed down the generations from his ancestors. Since this type of cooking vessel was traditionally only used in the Korean royal court, it seems that this Korean man came from a privileged family background. The fact that he had a maidservant attests to his wealth. Countless other historical cultural artifacts were likely donated in this way or confiscated and then melted down to make armaments for the Imperial Japanese military.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 7, 1943

Brass items donated one after another

"In times like these, it is shameful to keep such extravagant things stored away. Please use this Sinseollo, wash basin, and tableware to make torpedoes for destroying our hated enemies, the U.S. and Britain," said Ms. Katayama Tamae (44 years old), a resident of 6-103 Jongno-gu, Seoul. Upon her request, her eldest son Mitsuo (25 years old) and her maidservant took 32 items including one brass Sinseollo, which had been passed down from her ancestors, a wash basin, and tableware and donated them at the main office of this newspaper on the morning of February 6th. [Photo: a mountain of brass items in front of Mitsuo and the maidservant]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-02-07

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年2月7日

相踵ぐ”鍮器献納”

『この時局にこんな贅沢なものを死蔵しては申し訳ないことです。どうぞこの神仙爐も盥も食器も憎い憎い敵米英撃滅の魚雷としてお役に立てて下さい』と京城鐘路六の一〇三、片山玉恵さん（四四）は祖先伝来の真鍮製神仙爐一対をはじめ盥、食器など三十二点を長男光男君（二五）と女中に持参させ六日朝本社へ献納方を依頼した。【写真＝真鍮の山と光男さんと女中さん】

The metal collection campaign was escalated in March 1943. This March 28, 1943 Keijo Nippo news photo shows metal pots and tableware being loaded onto a cart driven by oxen.

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-03-28

 

This March 30, 1943 Keijo Nippo news photo shows more scenes of the metal collections. The upper right photo shows the collection at the Patriotic Women's Association on Hangang-daero in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-03-30

Mixed marriages in 1939 Korea: a Korean teenage girl left home and married the brother of her Japanese best friend, a Korean husband and Japanese wife met at a Tokyo music school and overcame 'persecution' from friends and family to become 'pioneers of Japanese-Korean Unification'

The following two articles from 1939 profiled two mixed Japanese-Korean families: the first one had a Japanese husband and a Korean wife, and the second one had a Korean husband and a Japanese wife. In both cases, the Korean spouses took on Japanese last names, but in different ways. In the first family, the Korean wife simply Japanized her old Korean last name, Yim, into Hayashi, without adopting her Japanese husband's last name, Se'o. In the second family, the Korean husband decided to adopt his Japanese wife's last name, Suzuki.

These stories were presumably published to encourage Koreans to adopt Japanese last names in the wake of a November 1939 ordinance that was issued to require the creation of Japanese family names for all Koreans. Japanese-Korean intermarriages were actually relatively rare, since they were generally looked upon with disapproval by the vast majorities of both the Japanese and Korean people, so the articles may have also been published as a way to reduce the stigma of intermarriage in the public consciousness.

Unfortunately, the newspaper page was too faded on the second article to make out parts of the first paragraph, so I indicated the omitted sections with […].

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) November 11, 1939

A hopeful start toward the unification of the "family system" [1]

She will first change her name, and then join the Women's Occupational Front with excitement

Marrying into her husband's family is also Japanese-Korean Unification

"Hello Sir, my last name is Yim (林). What Japanese last name should I adopt? Would it be all right if I just went with Hayashi (林)?"

Mrs. Yim and her sister-in-law Kazuyo (inset picture).

This was the question suddenly posed by a beautiful Korean woman as soon as she entered the room accompanied by an ethnic Japanese woman. This was the police counseling center in Jongno's Whashin Department Store. She was so enthusiastic about getting rid of her old Korean name that she jumped into the counseling center, riding the whirlwind of joy caused by her freedom to change her last name.

The subject of this story is 19-year-old Yim Chang-shin (임창신, 林昌信), who lives at 2-57 Asahimachi, Seoul. Her companion was her sister-in-law, 29-year-old Se'o Kazuyo. Chief staff member Mr. Maruyama looked surprised as she related her story, her cheeks flush as though she were enraptured by her rosy future. She was born in Pyongyang. Her father was a renowned painter named Yong-hwan (용환, 用煥), who also went by the pen name Ochiyama. She was a commoner, but she had a happy family. Ever since she was little, she had a very close relationship with Kazuyo which exceeded any familial relationship. She has practiced Japanese-Korean Unification for a long time through her family.

"I graduated from elementary school, and then later on I began staying at Kazuyo's house in Seoul when I was 17. Now we have forged an alliance as sisters-in-law. Since Kazuyo is a hairdresser, I have been learning the art of hairdressing from her. I long to become a professional woman as soon as possible," said Mrs. Yim. Her first hope is to leave the Anbang behind and join the Women's Occupational Front.

"My sister-in-law is helping me get settled into married life. My father wanted me to marry a Japanese man".

Her second hope is to achieve Japanese-Korean unification through marriage.

She said, "That's why I want to change my name to Hayashi Nobuko. This morning, I received a letter from my father in our hometown, and he is also determined to change his last name to Hayashi".

"Hayashi Nobuko, Hayashi Nobuko". She said it over and over again, and then she and Kazuyo looked at each other and smiled, their pure eyes narrowed in anticipation of the future that they both hoped for.

On the evening of November 9th, the day the news of the ordinance was announced, they held an early feast, unable to wait for the New Year's holiday. [Photo: Yim Chang-shin, who will adopt the name Hayashi Nobuko. The inset photo shows her sister-in-law Se'o Kazuyo.]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1939-11-11

 

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) November 12, 1939

A hopeful start toward the unification of the "family system" [2]

He will humbly borrow his beloved wife's last name

Now is the time to forget the disapproving eyes of the public!

Rejoice little boy, spring has arrived in our family!

"[…] we went to Tokyo, […] and we stayed at Kinshi Kaikan Hotel. I wrote my name in the guest book along with my husband's, but the hotel owner did not think we were husband and wife at first, because our last names were different. It was understandable though," calmly recalled Mrs. Suzuki Misaho, a 32-year-old teacher at Jinmyeong Girl's High School who lives at 133 Gye-dong, Seoul.

In 1930, upon graduating from the Japan Music School in Nakano, Tokyo, she and her classmate, Lee Jong-tae (이종태, 李鐘泰), who is now 29 years old, joined their souls together and encouraged each other saying, "We will keep fighting. We will refuse to succumb to whatever kinds of persecution society throws our way. Let's dedicate our hearts and souls to become pioneers of Japanese-Korean unification!" Mrs. Suzuki is the eldest daughter of Suzuki Nagahide, a retired military medical captain from Ōdate, Akita Prefecture. After graduating from Akita Teachers School, she taught at Ōdate Elementary School in her hometown for a while. However, wanting to further develop her talent for vocal music, she soon became a student of the vocal music department at the Japan Music School. Back when she was still a child in the fifth grade of elementary school, her teacher in geography class told her, "Koreans and Japanese are peoples who share a common ancestry. They came together following annexation, so they have completely become one body". Thus, the spirit of Japanese-Korean unification was instilled into her young mind early on. Over the ten years or so that followed, this spirit had always remained alive in Mrs. Suzuki's mind, even as a music school student.

At that time, Mr. Lee Jong-tae, who hailed from Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, happened to rise up in opposition to a school strike. It was at that time that their souls first came into contact.

"There are lots of women in Korea. Why did you have to bring a woman from Japan?" Mr. Lee was subjected to an unbearable barrage of persecution from friends and relatives alike. Needless to say, this persecution only made the couple's determination grow stronger. Soon, Suzuko-chan was born. She is now nine years old and in the second grade at Seoul Teachers School-affiliated Elementary School. The couple are now good parents to a total of three children. They also have another daughter, Etsuko (seven years old), and a son, Tōru (five years old). Moreover, Mr. Lee is in charge of music courses at Ewha Women's College and Buddhist College.

"Considering our children's future, we decided to give them Japanese names, but I wonder if I can replace my own last name with a Japanese last name".

This was the question that had never left Mr. Lee's and Mrs. Suzuki's minds. The long-awaited day finally arrived. With the ordinance issued on November 9th, spring suddenly came to Mr. Lee's household. On the third day of the cheerful family discussions, he said, "I am thinking of humbly borrowing my wife's last name and calling myself Mr. Suzuki …" Mr. Lee was in a great state of exuberance. [Photo: The family of Mr. Lee Jong-tae, who wants to take his wife's last name.]

The Suzuki family

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1939-11-12

(Transcription)

京城日報　1939年11月11日

『家族制度』一体へ希望の門出　【一】

まず名前を変え、胸躍らせて婦人職業戦線へ

お嫁入りも内鮮一体

「小父さん、わたしは林ですが、どんな姓がいいでしょうか。やはりそのままのハヤシでもいいでしょうか」

これは見るからに麗しい一人の半島人女性が、内地人婦人と一緒に入ってくるなりトタンにぶっきらぼうに出した質問だ。ここは鐘路の和信百貨店内警察相談所。「姓変更の自由」がまき起した歓喜の渦に乗って、何はさておき相談に飛びこんだ「旧姓脱却」に意気ごむ人なのである。

当人は京城旭町二の五七林昌信さん（一九）で、連れの婦人は義姉の瀬尾一代さん（二九）。面喰らった主任の丸山さんを相手に彼女はバラ色に輝く将来をうっとり抱きしめるように、頬を染めて語るところは：生れは平壌。父は雅号を落山という名のある用煥画伯。家柄は平民だが幸福ないい家庭で小さい時から瀬尾さんと親戚以上に睦ましい付き合い。家庭を通じての内鮮一体はずっと昔から。

「私は小学校を出てからのち、十七のとしに一代さんの京城のお宅に御厄介になるようになり、今では一代さんとは義姉妹の盟を結んでいます。一代さんが美容師でいらっしゃるので、私もいままで姉さんについて美容術を習ってまいりました。憧れの職業婦人、早くなりたいわ」内房を蹴って女性職業戦線進出が希望の一。

「お嫁入りはお姉さまがお世話下さることになっていますけど、内地の方をと父も望んでいます」

結婚で内鮮一体が希望の二。

「ですからアタシ林信子と改姓改名したいのです。今朝郷里の父から手紙をいただきましたが、父も断然ハヤシと改めるといっています」

林信子、林信子。何べんもいってみて瀬尾さんと顔を見合わせて希望の未来へ純粋の瞳を細めてはニッコリ笑うのだった。

制令発布のニュースのあった九日の晩は来年正月を待ちきれぬ早手回しの祝宴を張ったということだ。【写真＝「林信子」を名乗るという林昌信さんと図形が義姉の瀬尾一代さん】

 

京城日報　1939年11月12日

『家族制度』一体へ希望の門出　【二】

愛妻の苗字拝借

世間の白眼も今こそ忘れて

坊やよ、喜べ我家の春

「[…]上京しまして、[…]の金鵄会館に泊まったことがあります。宿帳に主人と列べて私の名前を書いたのですが、会館の主人は最初どうしても私達を夫婦だとは思って呉れないのです。夫と妻の苗字が違うんですもの。そう思うのも無理ありませんわ」と京城桂洞町一三三、進明高女教諭鈴木美佐保さん（三二）はしんみりと語るのである。

昭和五年東京中野の日本音楽学校を卒業と同時に、「どんな世間の迫害にも負けずに闘って行こう。身をもって内鮮一体の先駆者になろう！」とお互いにはげまし合いながら同期卒業の李鐘泰君（二九）と魂と魂を結んだのだった。鈴木さんは秋田県大館の退役軍医大尉鈴木長秀氏の長女。秋田師範を出て暫く郷里の大館小学校で教鞭をとったが、好きな声楽の才能を更にのばそうと間もなく日本音楽学校の声楽科の学生となったのである。鈴木さんが未だ幼い時―尋常五年の時だといっている。地理の時間に先生から、「朝鮮と日本とは同じ祖先の民族だ。それが合併して一緒になったのだから全く一体である」と幼い頭に早くも内鮮一体の精神をすっかり刻み込まれたのである。それから十何年、音楽学校生徒の鈴木さんの頭からもこの精神はいつも生きていた。

この時たまたま学校のストライキに反対して起ち上ったのが慶北金泉出身の李鐘泰君だった。二人の魂がはじめて触れ合ったのはこの時。

「朝鮮にも沢山女はいるじゃないか。何を好んで内地の女を連れて来なければならなかったのだ？」と李君は友人からも親戚の者からも堪え得られない迫害、迫害の連射を受けた。而し二人の意志は迫害を受ける度に強くなって来たのはいうまでもない。間もなく生れた鈴子ちゃんは今では九つになって京城師範附属小学校の二年生になっており、越子さん（七つ）、徹君（五つ）と三人の子供達のいい父、いい母となった。しかも李君は梨花女子専門、仏教専門で音楽講座を担当している。

「子供達の将来のことを考え、名前だけは内地式にしたが、苗字は内地式にかえられぬものだろうか」

これが李君と鈴木さんの脳裡から一刻も離れなかった問題であった。その待望の日が遂に来た。九日発布された制令と共に李君の家庭には俄かに春が訪れた。何としようかと朗らかな家庭会談三日目：「家内の苗字を拝借して鈴木ともしようかと考えているところですが．．．」と李君はひどい張り切り振りである。【写真＝奥さんの姓を名乗りたいという李鐘泰氏の一家】

'Jeon' became 'Takamatsu' and 'Park' became 'Masaki': 1940 profiles of Korean families in Seoul adopting Japanese names to purportedly honor their Korean roots, be accepted by Japanese neighbors, to better interact with the public, to instill a 'spirit befitting Imperial subjects' in their children

This 1940 article profiles two Korean families in Seoul who adopted Japanese names: the Jeon family, which became the Takamatsu family, and the Park family, which became the Masaki family. The father of the Jeon family worked at the Oriental Development Company, which was a national enterprise of Imperial Japan spearheading the colonial exploitation of Korea, and was at one point the largest landlord of Korea. A different Korean employee of the same company was featured in another Model Korean family profile article in 1942. The father of the Park family was a Seoul police officer at the Seodaemun precinct. We can surmise that they adopted Japanese names to curry favor with their employers, who were part of the colonial ruling class which controlled Korea. The fathers are conspicuously absent from the featured family photos for some reason, perhaps as a security precaution since they were hated figures by much of the Korean population.

For this translation, I added Chinese characters throughout the text so that it is possible to appreciate how these families took Chinese characters from their old Korean names and incorporated them into their new Japanese names.

Kimiko Takamatsu (高松喜美子), formerly Shin Sook-hui (신숙희, 申淑嬉), with her children.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 11, 1940

'A last name that is associated with the Goryeo Dynasty'

She is thrilled to be an Imperial Woman

Interview with Kimiko Takamatsu, the wife of Mr. Keiichi Takamatsu, an employee at the Oriental Development Company of Korea)

Listening to joyous stories about adopting Japanese names

My family is very happy to be able to adopt the family name of Takamatsu on this auspicious occasion. My husband's old Korean last name, Jeon, is said to have been derived from the family name of the former King of Goryeo. For our new family name, we decided to take the Chinese character "高" from Goryeo (高麗) and the Chinese character "松" from Songdo (松都), the old name for present-day Kaesong and the former capital of the Goryeo Dynasty, to create our new family name, Takamatsu (高松).

I believe that it is essential for the education of our children to adopt a family name in the Japanese style in order to nurture a spirit befitting Imperial subjects. We are also hurrying to complete the family registration procedures, lest we miss this opportunity and become hated by our descendants for a long time to come.

We are more than happy when we think that our children will be overjoyed at adopting Japanese names, and that from today onward, our neighbors will be able to accept us as fellow Japanese people without feeling ashamed of us.

On this joyous day, we firmly vow to become true Imperial subjects while filled with joy at adopting Japanese names. My husband's old name was Jeon Gyu-hye (전규혜, 全圭恵), and his new name is Keiichi Takamatsu (高松恵一).

Our family was renamed as follows: Shin Sook-hui (신숙희, 申淑嬉) became Kimiko Takamatsu (高松喜美子), Jeon Hye-seok (전혜석, 全恵錫) became Keiko Takamatsu (高松恵子), Jeon Soon-seok (전순석, 全純錫) became Junko Takamatsu (高松純子), Jeon Yeong-ok (전영옥, 全英玉) became Tamako Takamatsu (高松玉子), Jeon Dae-seok (전대석, 全大錫) became Daiichi Takamatsu (高松大一), and Jeon Yeong-ja (전영자, 全英子) became Eiko Takamatsu (高松英子).

[Photo (bottom) = Kimiko Takamatsu and her children]

Yoshiko Masaki (正木吉子), formerly Lee Myeong-gil (이명길, 李明吉), and her daughter Junko

Last name 'Park' was changed to 'Masaki'

Memorable Shinto Wedding Ceremony

Interview with Yoshiko Masaki, the wife of Mr. Hideo Masaki, a police officer at Seodaemun Police Station, Seoul

On this auspicious occasion of the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the Imperial Japanese nation, we are honored to adopt the family name of Masaki. What can I compare our family's joy with, now that we have been able to fully become Imperial subjects, both physically and mentally?

Three years ago, we were married in front of the Chōsen Shrine, and we were completely moved by the solemnity and grandeur of the wedding ceremony. My husband has called me Yoshiko since that day. I am not sure if the people of Korea would be able to understand our gratitude for the Shinto wedding. When the civil ordinance for the adoption of new Japanese family names was issued, my husband and I had to think for a long time about what kind of name we should choose for our new family name.

My husband said that, since he has to deal with the general public due to his profession, it was very important for him to create a family name in the Japanese style. At last, at this opportune moment, we decided to break off from the Park family and adopt the family name of 'Masaki'. The family name 'Masaki' (正木) is an interpretation of the Chinese character '朴' for Park, and it has no deep meaning. Apparently there is an old Korean custom for couples to remain faithful to their own respective family names even after marriage, but it seems like a rather strange custom to me.

From today onward, as a wife with the family name of Masaki, I would like to live a stronger and purer life as a woman on the home front in these extraordinary times. My husband's name is Hideo Masaki (正木英雄), formerly Park Yeong-do (박영도, 朴英道). My name is Yoshiko Masaki (正木吉子), formerly Lee Myeong-gil (이명길, 李明吉), and our daughter is named Junko.

[Photo (above): Yoshiko Masaki and Junko]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1940-02-11

(Transcription)

京城日報　1940年2月11日

『高麗に因む姓』

皇国女性としての感激

東拓朝鮮支社、高松恵一氏夫人、高松喜美子さん談

創氏の喜びを聴く

お目出度い今日の佳節から高松という姓を名乗らせていただきまして、一家はただ感激あるのみでございます。主人の旧姓全というのは元高麗王の姓であった王というのから分れたと申しています。この度の創姓も私たちは、このゆかりの高麗から高をとり、そして高麗の都であった松都（今の開城）の松を選び、新姓を高松にすることに決めました。

姓を内地風にするということは子供達の教育上、皇国臣民としての精神を養う上にどうしても必要であると思います。また今のこの好機を逸して末々までも子孫にうらまれるようなことがあってはと、早速戸籍上の手続きも急いでいます。

創氏によって何よりも子供達が喜んでくれ、おとなり近所にも今日からは肩身の狭い思いをせず、同じ日本人としてつきあっていただけることを思えば、私達はこの上もなく幸福でございます。

今日の佳き日に創氏の喜びと共にまことの皇国臣民にならなくてはと、私たちは固くお誓い致すのでございます。主人の旧姓名は全圭恵、新名は高松恵一。一家は次の如く改めました。

申淑嬉（高松喜美子）、全恵錫(高松恵子）、全純錫（高松純子）、全英玉（高松玉子）、全大錫（高松大一）、全英子（高松英子）。

【写真（下）＝高松喜美子さんと子供さん達】

朴を『正木』に

思い出の神前結婚

京城西大門署、正木英雄夫人、正木吉子さん談

皇紀二千六百年紀元の佳節にあう光栄とともにきょうの佳き日から一家挙って正木という姓を名乗り、心身共に皇国臣民となりきることの出来ました私達一家にとっての喜びは何に譬えましょうか。

三年前に私たちは朝鮮神宮の大前で神前結婚を致しましたが、そのときの厳粛さ、荘厳さに私達はすっかり打たれたのでございました。主人はその日から私を吉子と呼んでいます。神前結婚の有難さは或るは朝鮮の方達にこの気持ちに察してもらえないかもわかりません。今度の創氏民事令が発布されました時、主人も私もどんな姓名を選んで創氏したらよいか長い間考えさせられました。

主人は職業柄一般民衆に接して行かなければならぬので、内地風の創氏は是非必要だと申していました。いよいよこの好機に私達は分家して『正木』という姓に名乗りました。正木というのは朴という字の解釈であって、別に深い意味はございません。結婚をしましても、お互いの姓を守り通すという朝鮮の古い習慣にもいわれがあるのでございましょうが、私には何か水臭いような気持ちが致します。

今日からは正木姓の妻として非常時下の銃後の婦人として、より強く清く生きてゆきたいと存じます。主人の姓名は正木英雄（旧姓朴英道）、私は正木吉子（旧姓李明吉）、娘は純子です。

【写真（上）＝正木吉子さんと純子さん】