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】

Korean and Japanese kindergartners holding rising sun flags shouting 'Banzai!', schoolchildren worshiping at Shinto Shrine chanting 'defeat the U.S. and Britain', high school girls ice skating on Chundangji Pond in Changgyeonggung Palace grounds - photos of student life in Seoul, late January 1943

The third and final school semester (January to March) began in Seoul in late January 1943, and the Keijo Nippo news cameramen took photos of student life from many different angles as they started school. Some scenes look ordinary enough: students walking to school, boys practicing Kendo in the cold mornings, schoolgirls working on science projects, high school girls ice skating in the old palace grounds. But look more closely, and you can see some disturbing scenes and elements too - the wartime militaristic propaganda enforced by mandatory visits to Shinto Shrines and celebrations of the Flag of the Rising Sun.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 16, 1943

We won't be defeated by the cold!

Dashing young kendo athletes rampage during a cold morning practice session

Spiritedly shouting "Omen!" and "Okote," the youthful kendo athletes valiantly trained barefoot from 7:00 a.m. in an extremely cold morning. Here at Seoul Migeun-dong National School, 100 boys in the fifth and sixth grades were selected to participate in a martial arts cold practice session every morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the school's auditorium from January 15th to January 20th. On the first day of training, the principal, Mr. Terada, the male school staff, and the children arrived at the school on time.

After the national worship ritual, the students were divided into groups and began sparring, full of energy. After the first day of practice, the students said, "It felt so good! It was cold, but that was nothing when you consider what the soldiers protecting the northern borders have to go through. Studying martial arts like this will help a great deal when we become soldiers," they said, smiling with cheeks like apples. [Photo: Migeun-dong National School students practicing in the cold]

Everyone is in good spirits going to school (article published on January 17)

Today is the beginning of the last school semester

The sounds of strong footsteps of the third school semester are heard at the school gates, which open quickly to the left and right. After a long winter break for training, this group of young students is ready to valiantly fight decisive battles for the final semester of the school year, and they will start school today.

Seoul Teachers College-Affiliated National School, which was the first in all of Korea to end its winter break, will beat the opening drum and rush into the final semester of the school year on January 16th.

After that, the students will move on to the next grade level. The first day of their decisive battle has begun today. [Photo: Students of Seoul Teachers College-Affiliated National School arriving at school after the winter break]

Vigorous young maidens in fierce competition like flying swallows (article published on January 17)

The Ice Competition of Seoul No. 1 Girls' High School, rich with a wartime spirit

The brightness of the silvery ice surface was reflected in the bright blue winter sky. No matter how many degrees below zero it was, the skaters glided over the ice with the lightness of flying swallows.

The Seoul No. 1 Girls' High School Ice Competition were held at a special competition venue set up at Chundangji Pond in Changgyeongwon from 9:00 a.m. on January 16, and the competition began with classroom teams paired against each other in relay races, which was a befitting format for a wartime training event for maidens on the home front. The cheerleading squads were stomping on the ice and cheering enthusiastically as the girls engaged in powerful offensive and defensive battles, as if the relay races were establishing an air defense posture. The girls on the home front were cheerful and lively. The competition ended at around 2:00 p.m., the girls having shown off their vigorous spirit which blew away the winter and the cold. [Photo: The Ice Competition]

Well-behaved young children studying science (article published on January 19)

Wartime education at the Women's Teachers School-Affiliated National School

"Why does this propeller turn?" asked a cute first grader with a bowl haircut as she eagerly fiddled with a model airplane, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"The propeller spins because there is an elastic rubber band, and the propeller spins as the elastic band unravels. Real airplanes have engines," explained a bigger girl in the sixth grade. On the other side of the room, second grade girls were tinkering with paper tanks and cars, expressing their adorable admiration and gratitude for the Imperial Military Science Corps, which has performed brilliantly in the Greater East Asia War. This group of scientific youngsters consists of students of the National School affiliated with Seoul Women's Teachers School. These are the products of the homework projects that each of them worked on during the recent winter break, twisting their young minds with creativity. These homework projects of one hundred promising 'well-behaved children of science' were set up for display in the school work room.

Among the projects made by the older students were a wooden "charcoal box" and a wooden "book stand", as well as beautiful playing cards featuring '100 patriotic poems' made by sixth graders with all their hearts and souls. Surrounded by the happy children and their works, Mr. Watanabe said,

"These are all works that the students voluntarily created during the winter training period as a result of their scientific education, so to speak. I try to nurture the children's creativity as much as possible. I believe that this kind of scientific training will also help them to become highly qualified mothers of healthy soldiers." [Photo: Students at Seoul Women's Teachers School-Affiliated National School performing science]

We will not lose either (article published on January 20)

Hinode National School students pledge to bless the nation with their academic work

The four warm breezes crossed the pine trees on Mount Namsan. But the shrine head was covered with frozen snow that had fallen some time ago. A group of schoolchildren walked up the stone steps of the shrine head. The city of Seoul was spewing morning smoke as the day's activities got underway to fight decisive battles. The group of schoolchildren lined up in front of the Shinto shrine. The children were beginning their third semester of studies at Seoul Hinode National School on January 19th after their winter break. After the opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. that day, Principal Etō and three other teachers led the children to Keijō Shrine to worship the shrine's guardian deities.

Bowing deeply before the shrine, they let their Imperial blood surge in their young hearts. They vowed with their adorable voices, "We will study even harder with our strong hearts to defeat the U.S. and Britain! We will not lose to British and American children!" They clapped their cute hands and prayed for the longevity and military success of the Imperial Japanese military. They earnestly vowed to serve on the home front as schoolchildren. [Hinode National School students worshiping at Keijō Shrine]

[Note: This Japanese-language academic paper from Kyushu University indicates that Hinode National School only enrolled ethnic Japanese students and few, if any, ethnic Korean students.]

Banzai to the Flag of the Rising Sun!　(article published on January 28)

On this day, when you peek into the Patriotic Kindergarten in Seoul, you can see 285 Japanese and Korean children, some as young as six and some as old as seven, lined up in the bright winter yard, holding the "Rising Sun Flag" in their hands. Principal Asagara said to the children:

"Look everyone! This is the flag of Japan, the strongest country in the world. This flag is used by the soldiers who are fighting in the Great War to defeat the soldiers of the United States and Great Britain. Today is the anniversary day of this flag."

Then the "Hinomaru March" began, followed by the lyrics "the Rising Sun is dyed red on white …" which was performed with great energy and enthusiasm. Then, the children celebrated by shouting "Banzai to the Flag of the Rising Sun!" in a loud voice, led by Principal Asagara. [The Rising Sun Flag celebrations at the Patriotic Kindergarten]

[Note: According to this 1942 brochure from the actual kindergarten, there were a total of 287 students: 176 ethnic Japanese students (61%), 108 ethnic Korean students (38%), 2 Chinese students, and 1 Turkish student.]

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-16

Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-17

Source 3: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-19

Source 4: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-20

Source 5: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-28

 

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年1月16日

寒さに負けるものか！

朝の寒稽古に颯爽少年剣士の乱撃ぶり

『オメン！』　『オコテ！』裂帛の気合も若々しく少年剣士は、凛冽の寒朝、午前七時からその素足も健気に錬武する。ここ京城渼洞国民学校では同校五、六年生男子百名を選抜して十五日から二十日まで毎朝午前七時より同八時まで講堂を道場として武道寒稽古を行っている。その初日寺田校長初め男子職員、児童達は定刻に参集。

国民儀礼ののち、各組に分れて元気一ぱい剣道開始。火花を散らして天晴れ銃後学童の意気を見せ猛稽古を行ったが、その初日を終えた児童達は、「とても気持ちがよいのです。寒さですが、北の護りの兵隊さん方のことを思えばなんでもありません。こうした武道の勉強が僕らが兵隊となるときの大きい役割をつとめることでしょう」と林檎の様な頬をさせてニッコリと笑う。【写真＝渼洞国民学校生徒の寒稽古】

みんな元気に登校　(1月17日)

きょう最終学期始め

さっと左右にひらいた校門へ、第三学期の逞しい足音も勇ましい。鍛錬の冬休みを終えた少国民の一群が決戦学期への構えも雄々しく愈よきょうから登校開始だ。

全鮮で一番早く休みを切り上げた京城師範附属国民学校では十六日から始業の太鼓を打ち響かせて最終学期への驀進だ。

これが過ぎれば進学だ。いよいよ僕らの決戦第一日もきょうから始まったのだ。【写真＝冬休みあけて登校する京師附校の児童達】

溌剌乙女ら”飛燕”の熱戦　(1月17日)

戦時色も豊かに第一高女の氷上大会

まっ青な冬空に映ゆる銀盤の輝かしさ。その上を零下何度、何十度あろうと物かは身を飛燕の軽やかさで滑る。

京城第一高女の氷上大会は、十六日午前九時から昌慶苑春塘池の特設競技場で開催されたが、競技は各組対抗継走に幕を切っておとした。継ぐ競技種目も戦時下銃後乙女の錬成にふさわしく時局色を盛った氷上行進。防空態勢を整える聯絡競争などと力強い攻防戦を展開すれば、応援団は氷を踏み鳴らしての熱援。まこと銃後の女生徒達は明朗快活。冬も、寒さも吹き飛ばした溌剌たる意気を誇示して午後二時ごろ終了した。【写真＝氷上大会】

科学するヨイコドモ　(1月19日)

女師附属国民校の決戦教育

”このプロペラはどうして廻るの？”一年生の可愛いおかっぱ頭が模型飛行機を熱心にいじくりながら好奇心にみちた目差しで尋ねる。

”それはね、弾力性のあるゴム紐があってプロペラを廻してよれたゴム紐がほどけるため廻るのよ。本物の飛行機は発動機”と六年生らしい大きいおかっぱの嬢ちゃんが教えているのだ。その側では二年生のお嬢ちゃんたちが紙の戦車や自動車をいじりながら大東亜戦で赫々たる武勲を樹てている皇軍科学兵団への可憐な思慕と感謝を寄せている。この科学する幼い群は京城女子師範学校附属国民学校の生徒たちで、先ほどの冬季休暇中、各自が幼い頭をひねて創った家庭作業の収穫で、それを同校工作室に陳列して全校児童百名が決戦下”科学するヨイコドモ”の頼母しさを見せているのだ。

高等科の生徒たちが作った木工細工の『炭箱』、『本立』そうかと思えば六年生の丹精をこめての作品、綺麗な”愛国百人一首”もある。このほほ笑ましい作品と児童の中に埋まって渡辺主事は語る。

「これはみんな生徒たちが自発的に冬季鍛錬期間を利用して作ったもので、謂わば科学教育の成果です。私の方ではできるだけ子供達の創作意欲を育んでやりたいと努めているのです。こうした科学的錬成も招来健兵の母として高い素質となることを信じます。【写真＝科学する女師附属国民校生】

僕らも負けずに　(1月20日)

日出国民校生学業報国の誓い

四温の風が南山の松を渡る。でも社頭にはいつの日にか降った雪が凍ってついている。学童の一隊がその社頭の石段を上ってゆく。京城の街は朝煙を上げて決戦今日の活動に入っている。学童の一隊は神前に整列した。決戦態勢下に学びながらすくすく伸びて、皇国の輝かしい将来を担って起つ小国民の意気を見せて京城日出国民学校では冬休みも明けた十九日から第三学期の学業をはじめたが、この日午前九時児童たちは始業式後江藤校長先生ほか三名の先生達に引率せられ、氏神の京城神社へ参拝。

神前に深く頭を垂れて幼い胸に沸り上る皇国の血潮を波たたせて”米英撃滅の強い心で僕らも一層勉強します。米英の子供に負けませぬ”可憐な誓いをたて、更に可愛い手で拍手を打ち皇軍の武運長久を祈って学童としての銃後奉公を固く固く誓った。【京城神社参拝の日出国民校生】

日の丸の旗バンザイ！！　(1月28日)

この日京城府内愛国幼稚園を覗けばまだ六つ、七つといういたいけない園児達が内鮮合せて二百八十五名、手に手に”日の丸の旗”を持って冬の明るい園庭に並んでいる。園長の麻柄先生が、

「みなさん、これは世界で一ばん強い日本のお旗ですね。この旗が今大戦争をしていらっしゃる兵隊さんと一緒にアメリカやイギリスの兵を攻めたいらげているのです。今日はこの旗の記念日です」とのお話。

ついで”日の丸行進”が始まった。それから”白地に赤く日の丸染めて．．．”の遊戯が元気一杯に行われて麻柄先生の発声で”日の丸の旗バンザイ”と声高らかに祝われた。【愛国幼稚園の日の丸遊戯】

Imperial Army general describes crowded movie theaters and cafes in Myeong-dong where Japanese and Korean 'young people in flashy overcoats would flow into coffee shops, chatting with their friends using exaggerated American gestures' in his January 1943 essays about daily life in Seoul

I found these four 'slice-of-life' personal essays written by an Imperial Army general in the Imperial Army press department describing his personal thoughts and observations about life in Seoul, which ultimately veer into propaganda exhortations for Korean youth to come to their senses.

Crowded streetcar scene in Seoul, November 28, 1939.

Lining up to ride the streetcar in Seoul, November 28, 1939

• In the first essay (January 16), the author describes how he sweeps the streets every morning and criticizes the perceived bad manners of the passersby, as well as the uncleanliness of Seoul in general.

• In the second essay (January 17), the author exhorts people to reduce food and energy waste by throwing away less, even if it means eating the leaves of daikon radish.

• In the third essay (January 18), he complains about how crowded the streetcars are and how people should walk whenever possible, railing against drunk passengers and idle people who take the streetcar just to hang out at cafes.

• In the fourth essay (January 19), the author describes the bustling scenes at coffee shops, cafes, and movie theaters where Japanese and Korean young people freely mix, which the author is not very happy about. He gets very judgmental, declaring that coffee shop fans must be exterminated somehow.

This is an ominous prelude to what would follow later on in 1943 and 1944, when jazz music would be banned in cafes, bars, and restaurants (February 1943), and cafes would be raided to catch 'idle people' (August 1943).

(Translation)

New Year Essays by Shūzō Kuramo, Chief of the Korean Army Press Department and Major General of the Imperial Army

Sweeping the Streets (January 16, 1943)

When I wake up, I routinely sweep the street in front of my house. This is for the sake of my health, and first of all, it is very hygienic.

There is an old saying that discipline begins at the front entrance at home. A neat and tidy front entrance gives a good impression to visitors. On the other hand, if the front entrance and the street in front of the house are cluttered, then it is as though the visitors can peer into the house and see the unpleasantness inside.

There is a Senryū poem that says, "They carelessly clean the reception room for visitors". I don't appreciate this.

If you are going to clean anyways, then you should clean the reception room thoroughly. Especially when I look at how Korean people clean, it seems that many of them adopt careless cleaning methods.

When it comes to cleaning, you should clean every nook and cranny, and the most important thing is the finishing touches. All that cleaning will be for nothing if the finishing touches are not tidy. Even if you wipe the top of the desk clean, it will be ruined if you carelessly put an ashtray on it.

It is obvious that there are two ways to arrange things: perpendicularly or in parallel. Otherwise, it is not tidy. The house staff and housewives should remember this.

Now, let's talk about street sweeping. I always sweep the streets every morning. Of course, people pass by while I am sweeping.

As I sweep with brooms and rakes, dust is generated. Some people, usually lazy young men or idle women, pass by with frowns on their faces. If the street is even half swept, they prefer to walk on the clean side of the street. It is obvious that these people have never cleaned the streets themselves.

There are also people like the following. When I am cleaning, they walk on the dirty side of the street that has not been cleaned yet, not on the clean side that has just been cleaned. When they walk by, they never forget to thank me for my hard work. I believe that such people have cleaned the streets before themselves, and they are very conscientious people who do not want to make the cleaned side of the street dirty.

It is human nature that no one would want to pollute something that is beautiful.

People coming from mainland Japan say that Seoul is "an incredibly dirty town". They are always pointing out the pitifully dirty condition of the streets, with phlegm spattered everywhere, paper scraps strewn about, and finally, the public restrooms that are so dirty that you have no choice but to urinate standing right next to them.

If people in each household would take responsibility and clean up even just the street in front of their own homes, then the city would be much cleaner. At least some of the filth would disappear, and there would certainly be fewer illnesses.

Let's clean up the streets together.

On conserving supplies (January 17, 1943)

Japan is not the only country that has supply shortages in wartime. Not only our German and Italian allies, but even the U.S. and Britain, which boasted of their material power, have recently been complaining of supply shortages, especially when it comes to food.

At first, there were some very unhappy complaints that there were not enough supplies, but these days, such complaints are not heard so often anymore. Is it because they know that it is useless to complain? I don't know exactly what is going on, but I think that Japanese people are patiently enduring the inconveniences of daily life with the mindset of 'never complain until we reach victory'.

As you can see, food is also in short supply these days. By the way, what kinds of measures are being taken in the kitchens to cope with food shortages? If we continue to cook the same way as we did in the past, when there was an abundance of food, then the food shortages will continue to grow.

A quick peek into the trash bin makes this point clear. The leaves of daikon radish are thrown away without a care in the world, and a lot of coal is thrown away mixed in with coal combustion scraps. It is a shame. It is wasteful both in terms of conserving supplies and in terms of the labor of the trash collectors.

If you don't have enough supplies, then you have to use 100% of what you don't have enough of. The leaves of daikon radish, trimmings from a sweet potato, or a piece of carrot as fine as a whisker are all fine foods. If we just concentrate on conserving rice, then we tend to forget about the other foods. If we do not make the most of what we have, then we are just not being wise enough.

Let's send a green signal to the kitchens, telling them to switch to a wartime stance as soon as possible!

Walk! Walk!　(January 18, 1943)

Not that the Railway Bureau or Seoul Railways asked me to say this, but when the trains are crowded, as they are these days, walking is the only way to go. The trains have many long-distance passengers, so it is impossible to ask them to walk, but it would be better for them to walk if they were on a streetcar. If you are in Seoul, you are encouraged to walk on your way to work in the morning and especially in the evening when you leave work.

It is a great way to stay healthy and reduce congestion.

If you are a woman or a person with children, you will have a hard time getting on the streetcar. No one is kind enough to give you priority, and the conductor would ring the departure bell even though you are in the middle of boarding the streetcar. I am amazed that no one gets hurt. We all need to be a little kinder to each other. It is just very embarrassing.

Of course, there are people on the streetcar who have some urgent business, but there are also people who seem to have nothing better to do than to go out for a cup of tea in the Honmachi area (as you can imagine from the way they talk about it). You should try to avoid riding the streetcar, regardless of whether it is crowded or not. If you walk, you will no longer want to drink tea. Such people, in particular, don't worry about inconveniencing others at all. Let's look at the actual situation on the ground.

One of the things that concerns me is the scene on the last streetcar. Ruddy-faced young or middle-aged gentlemen (?) would get on the last streetcar of the night together with ruddy-faced women who look like they are waitresses from bars or cafés, shamelessly reeking of alcohol. Such completely embarrassing scenes, which bring shame upon subjects of Imperial Japan in a time of war, can still be seen in Seoul.

These are disgusting scenes that I hope will disappear soon!

Maybe if the train conductor had the right to refuse boarding to such people, then the cold nightly breeze would sober them up a little.

Coffee shops, bars, cafés, movie theaters, etc. (January 19, 1943)

I'm not sure how to say this, but let me try to explain. I have no intention of interfering with the business of the coffee shops, bars, cafés, and movie theaters, but I am amazed at how prosperous they are these days.

The coffee shops are packed as soon as they open at around 10:00 a.m., and they continue to be packed until they close. The majority of customers are young people of working age.

When the cafés open for business in the evenings, there are bustling scenes of activity showing 'Japanese-Korean unification'. However, I am not very happy to see 'Japanese-Korean unification' being practiced in such places.

It is no different at movie theaters, where people wait in long lines even before the doors are opened.

Why in the world are the entertainment businesses so prosperous? It makes me feel somewhat ashamed.

Especially on the busy streets of Honmachi and Myeong-dong, young people in flashy overcoats would flow into coffee shops, chatting with their friends using exaggerated American gestures.

They listen to music records, drink coffee and tea (the drinks at such coffee shops don't even taste good these days), and kill precious time. What a waste. It is true that not all of them are idle people, but most of them certainly are.

I hope that these young people, whose blood ought to be boiling with inspiration, will come to their senses in a big way about the current situation. It is not that there is anything wrong with going to such places. However, I believe that the so-called coffee shop fans (silverfish) must be exterminated somehow. Comfort and entertainment are not easily available at bars and cafés. That is indeed the reality of "Japan at war today". Even if we have to do without comforts for one or two years, or even for 50 or 100 years, that is something that we must endure.

We must close our eyes and strive for victory.

This is our present mission. We must only move forward. What can we do in the time that we usually spend at the coffee shop? If you have free time to drink alcohol with women and other such nonsense, then use that time to accomplish something else instead. The scale of my outrage at the apathy of some of the youth is proportionate to the scale of the mission that is entrusted to them.

I pray that the youth of the entire nation will rise up to the occasion.

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-16

Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-17

Source 3: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-18

Source 4: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-19

(Transcription)

新春随想　倉茂周蔵　朝鮮軍報道部長、陸軍少将

道路掃除　（1943年1月16年）

私は起きると、習慣として家の前の道路を掃除する。これは健康のためだし、第一衛生的に甚だよろしい。

昔から躾は入口からということがある。玄関口がきちんと整理整頓してあることは外来者によい印象を与えるだろう。反対に、玄関口や家の前の道路が散乱していると、どうも家のなかまで見透かされたようで気持ちの悪いものだ。

川柳に「居候かくい座敷を丸く掃き」、というのがある。これは感心しない。

せっかくやるなら、かくい屋敷は角く掃除してもらいたいものだ。特に半島の人の掃除ぶりをみると、このかくまる式が多いようだ。

掃除というからには隅から隅までやるべきである。そして肝腎なのはこの仕上げだ。せっかく掃除しても仕上げの整頓が悪ければ何んにもならない。机の上を綺麗に拭いても、その上に煙草盆を出鱈目に置いたのではぶちこわしだ。

物を置く、置き方はわかりきったことだが、直角か、平行かの二つである。それ以外は整頓にならない。給仕君や主婦たちはよく覚えておいて頂きたい。

さて、道路掃除である。私はきまって毎朝掃除をする。道路だからもちろん掃除中にも人が通る。

箒や熊手でせっせと掃いていると埃もたつ。この埃を嫌いな顔をして通り抜ける人がある。のらくらの青年か、有閑らしい御婦人にきまっている。そしてこの人たちは、もし道路が半分でも掃除してあれば、その綺麗な側を好んで通る。自身で掃除などをしたことのない人だな、ということがよくわかる。

またこんな人もある。私が掃除をしていると、開いた方の綺麗な方は通らないで、まだ掃除してない方を歩く。そして、通り抜けるときに、御苦労さんの一言を忘れない。こんな人は自分でも掃除したことのある人だし、綺麗になった道路はなるべくよごしたくないという甚だ心掛けのよい人だと思っている。

美しいものは誰もよごしたくないのは人情だ。

京城の街は内地から来た人にいわせると「あきれかえるばかりによごれた町」である。そこかしこに痰が吐き散らしてあったり、紙屑が散乱していたり、遂には共同便所の横で立小便をせざるを得ないほどの哀れむべきよごれ方であると決まって指摘される。

一軒の家が責任を待って自分の家の前の道路だけでも綺麗にすれば、街は明粧され、不潔さの幾分かはなくなり、確かに病気も減ってくると思う。

みんなで街を綺麗にして見ようではありませんか。

物の節約に就いて　（1943年1月17年）

戦争になって物が不足するのは日本だけではない。盟邦独伊はもとより、あの物質力を誇った米国や英国でさえ最近は物不足、特に食糧不足で悲鳴をあげているようである。

最初はものが足らぬと随分不満な苦情の声もあったが、最近ではその声をあまり聞かなくなった。言っても無駄だから、言わないのか。足らぬ中を不平をいわずに切り詰めてやり抜こうというのか、そこのところははっきり判らぬが、日本人なら「不平はいわぬ、勝つまでは」の気持ちで日常生活の不便をじっと耐え忍んでいることと思う。

なるほど、食料品も最近はかなり不足している。ところでお台所の方では不足した食料品にどういう手段をとっているかが問題だ。あり余った昔と同じような料理方法を考えては、足らない品物はますます足らなくなる。

ちょっと塵芥箱を覗いて見ると、このことがはっきりわかる。大根のなっぱが平気で捨ててあったり、石炭の燃焼屑の中に多くの石炭が混ざって捨てられたりしている。惜しいもんだ。物の節約という点からも、塵芥運搬人の労力から考えても、共に無駄なことである。

物が足らなければ足らないものを百パーセント利用しなければならぬ。大根のなっぱも甘藷の切れっぱしも、ヒゲのように細かい人参の一本でも立派な食料だ。お米だけを節約しても、副食物の方はとんと忘れがちである。生かして物を利用することをしないで足らぬ足らぬでは、これは智恵が足らぬと申しあげるほかはない。

戦時生活への切り替えを示す青いシグナルを、一日も早くお台所に揚げて頂きたい。

歩け！歩け！　（1943年1月18年）

別に鉄道局や京電から頼まれたわけではないが、最近のように乗車物が混雑するときには歩くに限る。汽車は長距離客が多いので、これは歩けというのが無理だが、電車ならもっと歩いた方がよさそうだ。京城市内なら、朝の出勤も、殊に退勤退社の夕方などは、大いに歩いて頂きたい。

健康と混雑緩和に一策であること間違いなしである。

婦人や子供づれの人が電車に乗ろうとすれば、これは一苦労である。誰も優先的に乗せてくれるような気の利いた親切な人もいないし、乗りかかっているのに車掌も平気で発車のベルをならす。よく怪我をしないものだと感心させられる。もう少しみんなお互いに親切にしなくちゃ。まるでこれではお恥ずかしい次第である。

電車に乗っている人の中には、もちろん忙しい用件の人もあろうが、どう見ても用のなさそうな、本町あたりにお茶でも飲みに行こうという恰好（これは連中の話ぶりで想像出来る）の人がある。これなんか混雑しているようとなかろうと電車など遠慮すべし。歩いて行けばお茶など欲しくなくなること請合だ。こんな徒輩に限って人の迷惑なんかちっとも考えない。実際どうかと思う。

どうかと思うことの一つに終電車風景がある。赤い顔をした若いあるいは中老の紳士（？）が、これもまた赤い顔をしたバーやカフェーの女給らしきものと、平気で酒の匂いを発散させながら乗り込んで来る。戦時下の日本帝国臣民としては全くお恥ずかしい風景がいまだに京城にはある。

”早く消えて欲しい嫌な風景だ”

こんなのは車掌に権利を持たせて、乗車お断りとやれば冷たい夜風で少しはこたえるかも知れない。

喫茶店、バー、カフェー、映画館など 　（1943年1月19年）

いや全く何と申してよろしいか。これでは困ります。喫茶店やバー、カフェー、映画館の営業妨害をするつもりはいささかもないが、最近この方面の盛況ぶりには漫ろかされる。

午前十時ごろ、開店と同時に喫茶店は満員となり、閉店までつづく。若い働き盛りの青年がお客さんの大多数を占めている。

カフェーはこれまた夕方の開店を待ちかねるようにして賑やかな内鮮一体風景を描く。こんなところの内鮮一体はあまり嬉しくはない。

映画館も御多分に洩れず開場前から一列励行の長蛇の列。

一体全体、何故かくもかかる享楽面が繁栄するのか。私はいささか情けない気持ちになる。

特に本町や明治町あたりの目貫街で、派手なオーバーを着た若い青年たちが、大げさなアメリカ式の身振りでその友人と語り合いながら決まって喫茶店へと流れ込む。

音盤を聞き、コーヒー、紅茶を（最近はこれら喫茶店の飲物は決して美味ではない）飲みつつ貴重な時間を潰している。勿体ない話だ。全部が全部これら閑人ばかりではないことは事実だが、ほとんどが閑人であることに間違いはない。

時局柄、奮起すべき熱血のたぎっている青年層の大きな自覚を望む。こんなところに行くのが悪いというのではない。しかし、いわゆる喫茶店ファン（銀魚）は何とか退治しなければならぬと思っている。慰安や娯楽はバーやカフェーに転がってはいない。まして『決戦日本の現在』だ。一年や二年、よしんば五十年百年慰安がなくても我慢しなければならぬ。

目をつぶって必勝へ。

これがわれわれの現在の任務だ。ただ前進あるのみだ。喫茶店でトグロを巻くひまに何かすることはある。女ども相手に酒など悪意味に飲む暇にやることは果して頂きたい。青年に課せられた今後の使命が大きければ大きいほど一部これら青年の無気力さには憤慨せざるを得ない。

いざ全国青年の奮起を祈ってやまない。

In January 1943, Hollywood films were banned in Korea, but 2 French films and 6 German films were showing in Seoul movie theaters: only ‘working women’ could watch Wunschkonzert (1940), a Nazi propaganda drama, and only ‘industrial warriors’ could watch Kora Terry (1940), a German spy thriller

In January 1943, exactly eighty years ago, Imperial Japan was at war, but some Seoul residents still had time to enjoy some of the simple things in life, like going to the movies. To explore what kinds of foreign movies Seoul residents might have watched during this time, I browsed through the January 1943 Keijo Nippo newspapers for any movie ads for foreign films that were showing at movie theaters in Seoul. I identified the movies based on clues left in the ads, like the plot lines and the names of the directors and actors. Unsurprisingly, there were no American or British films, but I did find an eclectic selection of two French movies and six German movies:

French movies:

• L'homme à l'Hispano (1933)
• Ma soeur de lait (1938)

German movies:

• Ein Lied geht um die Welt (1933)
• Rakoczy-Marsch (1933)
• Ihr größter Erfolg (1934)
• Königswalzer (1935)
• Kora Terry (1940)
• Wunschkonzert (1940)

Some of these movies are available to watch online in clips or, in some cases, in their entirety on Youtube or Internet Archive, so I will share links below along with the movie ads. I linked to resources on Wikipedia and the Internet Movie Database wherever I could.

L'homme à l'Hispano (1933) was a French comedy starring Marie Bell (pictured in the ad) and Jean Murat, whose names are printed on the ad. This film was made into a double feature, where you had to sit in for the domestic Imperial Japanese film (闘ふ男) if you wanted to watch the foreign film. The film only showed from January 11th to the 13th. The full movie is available on the Internet Archive here.

 L'homme à l'Hispano (1933) - Keijo Nippo January 11, 1943

Ma soeur de lait (1938) was a French comedy starring Meg Lemonnier (pictured in this ad) and Henri Garat, and directed by Jean Boyer, whose names are printed on the ad. This was also shown as a double feature with a domestic Imperial Japanese film (心は偽らず), and for only three days: January 11th, 12th, and 13th.

 Ma soeur de lait (1938) - Keijo Nippo January 11, 1943

Ein Lied geht um die Welt (1933) was a German musical starring Charlotte Ander (pictured in the ad) and Joseph Schmidt, whose names are printed on this ad. Interestingly, although this film premiered during the Third Reich, it was subsequently banned in Nazi Germany in 1937. But apparently, it was still allowed to be shown in Imperial Japan. This was also shown as a double feature with a domestic Imperial Japanese film (海の見える家), and for only three days: January 22th, 23th, and 24th.

Ein Lied geht um die Welt (1933) - Keijo Nippo January 22, 1943

Rakoczy-Marsch (1933) starred Gustav Fröhlich, Leopold Kramer, Camilla Horn, and Paul Wagner whose names are all printed on this ad. This was also shown as a double feature with a domestic Imperial Japanese film (愛国の花), and for only five days from January 27th.

Rakoczy-Marsch (1933) - Keijo Nippo January 27, 1943

Ihr größter Erfolg (1934) was a film starring Marta Eggerth, pictured and named in this ad. This was also shown as a double feature with a domestic Imperial Japanese film (愛国の花), and only on January 27th. A clip is available on YouTube here. 

 Ihr größter Erfolg (1934) - Keijo Nippo January 27, 1943

Königswalzer (1935) was a German musical starring Carola Höhn, who is pictured and named in this ad. Although the original 1935 film cannot be found online, clips of the 1955 remake can be found on YouTube. This was also shown as a double feature with a domestic Imperial Japanese film (君を呼ぶ歌), and only on January 24th, 25th, and the 26th. 

 Königswalzer (1935) - Keijo Nippo January 24, 1943

Kora Terry (1940) was a spy thriller starring Marika Rökk (pictured in these ads) and directed by Georg Jacoby, whose names are printed on this ad. This movie required a special invitation to watch, with movie seats preferentially going to "industrial warriors". There was a preview screening of the movie at 9 pm January 30th, and then the movie premiered in Seoul on February 1st. Unlike most of the other foreign films, this one was not paired with a domestic Imperial Japanese film. Two German brochures for this movie are available on the Internet Archive here and here.

Kora Terry (1940), Keijo Nippo January 24, 1943

 

 Kora Terry (1940) - Keijo Nippo January 27, 1943

Wunschkonzert (1940) was a German drama propaganda film starring Ilse Werner, who is prominently featured on the ads. This movie was apparently heavily promoted in Keijo Nippo, since its ads come up the most frequently among the foreign films advertised on Keijo Nippo. This movie required a special invitation to watch, with movie seats preferentially going to "working women" with "no men allowed". There was a preview screening of the movie at 9:10 pm January 15th, and then the movie premiered in Seoul on January 18th, playing until January 24th. Unlike most of the other foreign films, this one was not paired with a domestic Imperial Japanese film. The German brochure for this movie is available on the Internet Archive here. The full movie (no subtitles) is available on the Internet Archive here. A clip of one of the songs is available on YouTube here. 

Wunschkonzert (1940) - Keijo Nippo January 10, 1943

 

Wunschkonzert (1940) - Keijo Nippo January 17, 1943

Wunschkonzert (1940) - Keijo Nippo January 20, 1943

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-10
Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-11
Source 3: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-17
Source 4: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-20
Source 5: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-22
Source 6: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-24
Source 7: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-27

Governor Koiso likened Korea to a disabled body whose brain (regime) could not talk to the limbs (Korean people), so an 'exclusive use of Japanese' policy was forced on Koreans, starting with Seoul city employees who were labeled 'inferior' and 'weak-willed' if they still spoke Korean at work (1943)

In 1943, Governor-General Koiso kicked off the new year by intensifying his campaign to further restrict the public spaces in which the Korean language can be used. Apparently, there were still employees in the Seoul prefectural government who spoke Korean at work, but this article from Janauary 1943 indicates that the regime started to crack down on them, so that government employees were no longer allowed to speak Korean at all, either at work or at home. The purported reason for this draconian measure was the "reform of general administration and the simplification of administrative work". To paraphrase it in the words of Governor-General Koiso, the brain and the limbs had to speak the same language for the body to move in an orderly fashion. This was all part of the "Japanese-Korean unification" policy that was ruthlessly pursued to suppress Korean language, culture, and ethnic identity in Korea, leaving lasting trauma that is still being felt even to this day.

Group training of Seoul prefectural government employees

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 20, 1943

The year of decisive battles, the rush to put things into practice (2) Seoul Edition

Seoul government employees shave their heads and begin to use the Japanese language regularly

Total efforts to simplify administrative work

"The establishment of a Righteous Korea can only be fully realized by training all 24 million people in the various occupational areas to truly adhere to the true meaning of the National Body as Imperial subjects …" were the words of Governor-General Koiso's instructions. Every word of his instructions at the opening ceremony of his administration was a fireball that shot into our ears and strained our hearts. Let's take a look into the "spirit of training" of the Seoul prefectural government employees who are leading the charge on behalf of the 1,000,000 Seoul residents, who have begun the new year full of vigor and determination.

Heroic battles are being fought in the name of the three encouraging principles of the Governor-General that are the key to dealing with the mountain of prefectural administrative work that is piled up before our eyes: "Thorough practice of character-building and training, decisive increase in production capacity, and epoch-making reform of general administration". These are the enlightened ways for government officials to speedily move forward administrative affairs and reform general administration in the midst of decisive battles. Let's look into how these three calls have inspired the top executives and staff of the Seoul government at the very beginning of the new year, and how they have begun to pledge their resolve.

From 3:00 p.m. on January 19th in the Prefectural Governor's room, there was a "Roundtable Discussion on the Rush to Put Things into Practice". In attendance were Prefectural Governor Furuichi, Mr. Chida, Director of General Affairs, Mr. Hoshimura, Director of Finance, Mr. Tanaka, Director of Internal Affairs, Mr. Matsuo, Director of General Affairs, Mr. Inagaki, Director of the Total National Movement, Mr. Egashira, Director of Industry, Mr. Kaneko, Director of Conscription, Mr. Fujioka, Director of Accounting, and Mr. Takera, Director of Auditing. They have forged strong relationships with Seoul residents by interacting with them at service windows. The participants expressed a level of determination that was appropriate for wartime.

Reporter: "How thorough are the character-building and training programs at the Seoul prefectural government?"

Prefectural Governor Furuichi: "We are doing a great deal. However, that is true of all government offices as well, and we are only doing what we should have been doing all along. For example, all employees visit and worship at Shinto shrines on the 20th of every month, and regular character-building lectures are held at Seoul Citizens Hall on the 10th."

Mr. Matsuo, Director of General Affairs: "The Seoul prefectural government was the first among the government offices to implement the visiting and worshiping at Shinto shrines, and we have been doing it for 12 years since 1932, when Mr. Inoue was Prefectural Governor. The Shūyōkai (Character-Building Association) began in 1938 to host lectures delivered by renowned speakers, and it has been very effective thanks to the cooperation of the Buddhist community, banks, universities, and the military."

Prefectural Governor Furuichi: "Last year, a Misogi Training Session was held at the Shūyōdan (character-building) Dōjō for the executives of the government, which was very effective. Most of the participants were from the Department of the Total National Movement. This year, we are planning to extend the training to all employees as soon as the Dōjō is available."

Mr. Hoshimura, Director of Finance: "It was my first time participating in Misogi, and I attended it only out of curiosity. But as I took the lessons, I discovered how great the Japanese spirit was, and now I am looking at it totally differently. I am currently promoting it to Korean youth."

Mr. Chida, Director of General Affairs: "Regarding physical exercise, each department has been conducting warm-up exercises, but this time we have decided to newly adopt some 'Naval-style exercises'. We are currently conducting a four-day training session for the instructors. We hope to spread the exercises to all 4,000 employees in the near future, so that they can acquire the military spirit and improve their health."

Reporter: "I heard that the prefectural government is conducting military training."

Prefectural Governor Furuichi: "We have already conducted military training several times at Kyōnaka Grounds in order to raise awareness of the need for discipline in the workplace, and the results have been very good each time. This year, we would like to make a special effort to conduct group drills in each department, and we will conduct inspections to ensure the thoroughness of the drills."

Reporter: "I heard that the prefectural government is going to focus exclusively on the regular use of the Japanese language this year. Do you have any ingenious ideas about this in your departments?

Mr. Tanaka, Director of Internal Affairs: "There is one language for 100 million people. The unification of the languages is the first priority for both the reform of general administration and the simplification of administrative work. The exclusive regular use of the Japanese language was agreed upon at the meeting of the heads of the departments on the Day of the Imperial Rescript on the 8th."

Mr. Fujioka, Director of Accounting: "In my department, we are so serious about it that we have even written a sworn pledge, and we hang slogan cards on the telephones encouraging the exclusive regular use of the Japanese language."

Mr. Kaneko, Director of Conscription: "I have always been a strict man, and my employees know it, but I have decided that those who do not use the Japanese language regularly are weak-willed and will not receive any promotions or bonuses." (laughter)

Mr. Matsuo, Director of General Affairs: "I held a regular meeting in the department, and everyone made a pledge to speak correct Japanese at home as well, since the home is an extension of the government office."

Reporter: "His Excellency the Governor-General compares the current situation in Korea to defects of the brain and nervous system, and he is apparently changing the situation where the policies and guidelines that he had planned have often been inadequately put into practice."

Prefectural Governor Furuichi: "In order for the four limbs to work in an orderly fashion and with immediate responsiveness under the command of the brain and nervous system, there is no other way but to forcibly put into practice the training of Imperial subjects for everyone, regardless of whether they are government officials or ordinary people. Reform of the general administration is an urgent task at this time."

Mr. Tanaka, Director of Internal Affairs: "I believe that the bad habit of government offices is that they maintain the status quo and lack progress, stretching out one day into ten years. They refuse to acknowledge any room for improvement, and it seems that there is a lot of waste hidden in the current wartime state of affairs."

Mr. Kaneko, Director of Conscription: "Some of the employees may be considered inferior, but I try to set my own inherent disposition as an example. I always admonish my subordinates by reminding them that I have not missed a day of work or taken a vacation day in the 31 years since I arrived in Korea."

Mr. Fujioka, Director of Accounting: "I sometimes hear complaints at the service window, so I try to be as prompt as possible in my work and avoid wasting time with regulations."

Mr. Takera, Director of Auditing: "Above all, we need to reform our personnel. It is no good if they are absent or tardy, or if they take their 20-day vacation as a matter of course."

Mr. Tanaka, Director of Internal Affairs: "We hold a special Jingu Taima exorcism ceremony in front of the department, and hold a morning meeting every morning at 9:00 a.m. Those who are late are not allowed to enter because of the shame that they bring." (laughter) "Thanks to this, we have increased our attendance rate at work."

Mr. Inagaki, Director of the Total National Movement: "This year, I would like to thoroughly enforce the 'shaved head' movement. Unless there are special circumstances, all workers should have their heads shaved."

Mr. Egashira, Director of Industry: "On my part, I have taken the initiative in cutting off most of my hair, and this attitude has been immediately reflected in my work and has had a positive effect. I believe that the increase in production capacity is also a result of a selfless and dedicated attitude toward work in the workplace."

The top leadership of the Seoul Prefectural Office, the capital of the Korean peninsula, is in high spirits. The cry to rush forward to put things into practice will be heard in the hearts of the 1,000,000 residents of Seoul. This year, we will see "Our Governor-General" put great things into practice in a big way. Let's go, Seoul!

[Photo: Group training of Seoul prefectural government employees]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-01-20

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年1月20日

決戦の年・実践驀進（２）　京城府の巻

丸坊主で国語常用

事務簡捷化へ総努力

『道義朝鮮の確立が各職域に在る二千四百万民衆悉くに皇民錬成を加えて真に国体の本義に徹せしむることに依り初めてその全きを期し得ます．．．』との小磯総督の御用始式の訓示は一言一語火の玉となって耳を撃ち心を引緊めた。元気一杯決戦の年頭を迎えた百十万府民に陣頭指揮をとる京城府庁職員の”錬成魂”はどうであろう。

眼前に山と積まれた府政百般の処理も要は総督三原則の前に雄々しい闘いが戦われ、敏速な事務の推進と庶政の刷新が決戦下の吏道として明るく”修養錬成の徹底的実践、生産戦力の決戦的増強、庶政執務の画期的刷新”力強い。この三つの呼掛けは新春劈頭府庁幹部職員にどれ程の奮起を促し如何なる決意を誓いはじめたか。

十九日午後三時から府尹室に古市府尹、千田総務部長を初め窓口を通じて府民に関係深い星村財務部長、田中内務、松尾庶務、稲垣総力、江頭産業、金古徴取、藤岡会計、武良監査、各課長出席。『実践驀進を語る座談会』を開催。決戦下に相応しい決意の程を示した。

記者：『府庁に於ける修養錬成の徹底はー』

古市府尹：『大いにやっている。併しどこの官庁もこれは同じだし、当然為すべきを為しているに過ぎない。例えば毎月二十日の全職員神宮参拝、十日の府民館での定期修養講演会などです』

松尾庶務課長：『府庁の神宮参拝は官庁のトップを切ったもので、昭和七年井上府尹時代からで十二年続いています。修養会は昭和十三年から始め毎回名士に講演を依頼し、仏教関係、銀行、大学、軍部方面の御協力に依り多大の効果を収めています』

古市府尹：『総力課が主体で、昨年は修養団道場に於ける庁内幹部のみそぎ錬成会を行ったが、非常な効果があった。本年は道場の都合のつき次第、職員全部に及ぼす考えです』

星村財務部長：『私はみそぎは初めてで、言わば好奇心のみで出席したわけだったが、教習を受けるに及んで偉大な日本精神の姿をそこに発見し、今では全く見直した次第で、半島青年にはとくに宣伝これ努めているのです』

千田総務部長：『体操の話だが、従来各課で更生体操をやっていたが、今回新たに”海軍体操”を採り入れることとなり、目下指導者錬成を四日間に亘って実施中。行く行くは四千職員全部に及ぼして軍人精神の体得と保健増強の実を挙げたいと思います』

記者：『府では軍隊教練をやられるそうですが』

古市府尹：『規律ある執務意識を実践昂揚するため数回に亘り京中グラウンドにおいて実施済みであるが、回を重ねる毎に成績は非常によろしい。本年は特に力を入れたいので、各部課毎に集団訓練を行わしめ努めて査閲を行い、訓練の徹底を期する考えである』

記者：『府庁では本年は国語常用に専ら力を注ぐそうですね。各課でそれに就いて何か妙案はありませんか』

田中内務課長：『一億民言葉は一つ。では庶政執務の刷新も事務の簡捷化も言葉の統一が先決問題ですね。八日大詔奉戴日の部課長会議で国語絶対常用が申し合わされたのです』

藤岡会計課長：『私の課では誓約書までという慎重さで電話機には常用徹底標語カードをさげています』

金古徴集課長：『私は平素から厳格主義で通っており、課員も心得ていてくれるが、国語を常用せぬ様な者は意志の弱い者で昇格もボーナスもないぞ、ときめつけていますよ』（笑声）

松尾庶務課長：『私は課内常会を開き、誓約的申合せを行い、家庭は官庁の延長だから家庭においても正しい国語を使用するよう一同誓った次第です』

記者：『総督閣下は朝鮮の現状を脳神経の故障に例えて総督の企図方針が往々侵透実践不充分なる現状を変えておられるようですが』

古市府尹：『四肢が脳神経の指令により秩序をもって、しかも即時敏速に活動するに至るには、その官たると民たるとを問わず凡てに対し皇民錬成を強行実践する以外にはありませぬ。庶政刷新は現下喫緊の要務であります』

田中内務課長：『官庁執務の弊は十年一日の如き現状維持と進歩性を欠くところにあるのではないかと思う。そこには少しの改善も認め得ず決戦下の昨今の執務状況にも多くのムダがひそんでいるようです』

金古徴集課長：『職員の一部には低劣と思われる者もあるが、私は生来の気性から身をもって手本を示すことに努め、”おれは渡鮮以来三十一年間無欠勤、無休暇だぞ”と常に部下を戒めています』

藤岡会計課長：『窓口の不平も時に聞かされるので、事務はなるべく敏捷に、規定にとらわれてムダな時間を取らぬよう注意しています』

武良監査課長：『何より人の刷新が必要ですね。休んだり遅刻したり二十日間の休暇を当然の権利視するようじゃあ駄目ですね』

田中内務課長：『課の正面に大麻を奉斎して毎朝九時には朝礼を行っていますが、遅刻した者は恥かくして這入れないですよ。（笑声）お蔭で出勤の率を非常にあげています』

稲垣総力課長：『今年は丸坊主の運動も徹底したいものです。特別の事情なき限り全部丸坊主でいいですね』

江頭産業課長：『私の方では率先して殆ど断髪でして、この心構えは直ちに執務の上にも反映して良き効果を挙げています。生産戦力の増強も要は職場に於ける滅私奉公の執務態度から生れるものと思います』

半島の首都、京城府庁の陣頭指揮者は張り切っている。実践驀進の叫びは府民百万の胸底に徹して今年こそ”われらの総督”の膝もとから素晴らしい実践が鬱然ともたげるであろう。京城よ頑張れ！

【写真＝府庁職員の集団訓練】