Hidden Treasures: Lives of First-Generation Korean Women in Japan

224 Pages·2005·16.138 MB·English

by  Jackie J. Kim

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ROWMAN& LITTLEFPIUEBLLDI SHIENRCS.,
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ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD PUBLISHERS, INC.
Published in the United States of America
by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.
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Copyright © 2005 by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kim, Jackie J., 1969-
Hidden treasures : lives of first-generation Korean women in Japan / Jackie J. Kim.
p. cm. — (Asia/Pacific/Perspectives)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7425-3594-0 (cloth: alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7425-3595-9 (pbk.: alk. paper)
1. Koreans—^Japan—History. 2. Women—Japan—History. 3. Japan—Ethnic
relations. I. Title. II. Series.
DS832.7.K6K5525 '2005'^
305.48'8957052'0922—dc22 ’• ■- 5
2004024108
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library
Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.
To my Halmoni
(1917-1992)
Contents
Preface - ix
Introduction: On Korean Women in Japan: Past and Present xiii
Sonia Ryang
Prologue: In Search of Hidden Treasures xxix
Part I
To Join My Husband
1 I Love to Study 3
Tokumoto Hiroko (Jung Bun-Ki)
2 I Have Done My Best 19
Koda Sumi
3 Through His Grace 31
PakSam-Yang
vii
viii Contents
Part II
Journey of a New Bride
4 No More Tears 53
Tanaka Kimiko
5 Blessings Came Later in My Life 65
Kim Ch’ae-Yun
6 Dear General Kim Il-Sung 77
Kang Yang-Ok
Part III
Solitary Sojourn
7 It’s My Destiny 97
Yasuda Kimiko (Kim Song-Yun)
8 Now I Can Say That I’m Happy 111
So Meng-Sun
Part IV
Growing Up in Japan
9 We Koreans Have Come a Long Way 135
Pak Hui-Sun (Uehara Tamae)
10 A Life Worth Living Is a Life That Has Meaning 153
Pak Sun-Hui
Glossary • 177
References 185
Index 193
About the Author 197
Preface
Hidden Treasures presents life histories of first-generation Korean immigrant
women in Japan as a contribution toward understanding the roots of Japan’s
largest minority population.
The ten women whose voices are arrayed in this book range in age from
seventy-two to eighty-nine years at the time of interviewing, conducted betweefi
1994 and 2000. They were bom between the years 1910 and 1926, just as the Yi
dynasty (1392-1910) came to an end with the start of Japanese colonial mle.
They were among the nearly two million Koreans who came to Japan during
Korea’s colonial period.
Their feelings and inner thoughts told in everyday life settings bring forth
important dimensions of lives at the margins of Japanese society. Their voices
enrich the understanding of social conditions and political dynamics concerning
Koreans in Japan by interweaving personal experiences with historical events.
Each woman’s narrative—spanning almost a century between two cultures, lan­
guages, and traditions—offers insight into the experiences and outcome of a co­
lonial era.
The narratives reveal how, in the midst of the challenges of immigrant life,
along with the hardships of World War II, first-generation Korean immigrant
women through myriad strategies were able to survive. Their lives illuminate
suffering and accomplishment, isolation, the breaking and forging of familial
and communal solidarities, clashing traditions, and persistence in the face of so­
cial, political, and cultural challenges. The lives depicted in these pages have
been chosen for their variety and depth.
All of the women interviewed spoke in a mixture of two languages—their
Korean mother tongue and Japanese. Their narratives have been organized into
IX
I
X Preface
subsections and repetitions have been minimized. However, the structure and
language are entirely their own. I have attempted to preserve many of their
pauses, sighs, exclamations of grievance, and laughs in order to.maintain their
varied voices and intonations.
A number of Korean and Japanese words and phrases that were used have
been included followed by a translation or description to convey the nuances of
the speaker. Throughout the text, endnotes clarify cultural elements as well as
phrases, sentences, situations, or incidents, or briefly identify important histori­
cal events, topics, or issues. Korean and Japanese terms are defined in the glos­
sary. For Korean, the McCune-Reischauer system of romanization has been used,
and for Japanese, the modified Hepburn system.
The final culmination of this project is the fruit of labor by many who faithfully
believed in its importance. My utmost love, respect, and applause go to all the
women who invited me into their lives, and especially the ten stars who shine
through these pages.
This book would have never come to form without the editorial and layout
expertise and unending dedication of Michael Wachutka, my personal managing
editor for life. Deep and sincere gratitude goes out to Mark Selden who guided
this work to the finishing line, with patience, faith, and support. Many thanks to
Yumi Selden for her encouraging words and keen editing skills, and a heartfelt
appreciation to Sonia Ryang for her detailed and comprehensive introduction.
The present-day portrait photos of the women were taken by Goto Yoshiya,
one of the most talented young photographers I know. Chikako Kashiwazaki
diligently read through the manuscript and contributed invaluable comments.
Warm thanks to Pastor Kim Seung-Jae and family, John Stephan, Fukuoka
Yasunori, Frank Baldwin, Linda Grove, John Clammer, James Fairer, David
Slater, Ueno Chizuko, and Christine Yano whose faith in this project gave me
strength in discouraging times.
Lastly, the love, prayers, and devotion of my mother Bok-Sun Kang and sis­
ter Christina E. Kim have been the wind beneath my wings. They are the pillars
that support me and the anchor that steadies me. Finally, every inch of my heart
goes to my life-mentor and inspiration who led me every step of the way. I am
merely a pen in His hand.
1
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conformal conic proj., Washington, D.C.; Central Intelligence Agency, 1996.