1910년대 식민지 조선에서의 일본불교 동향―일본 『중외일보』 자료를 중심으로―

Abstract

This article analyzes the development of Japanese Buddhism in colonial Korea during the 1910s, shortly after Korea's annexation. Previous studies on Japanese Buddhism in colonial Korea have primarily focused on Buddhism’s role in supporting the Japanese government's assimilation policy. This was mainly achieved through its partnership with the Government-General in Korea. In contrast, this article emphasizes the conflicts that arose between the Government-General and Japanese Buddhism in the immediate aftermath of the annexation, as well as the internal competition within Japanese Buddhist sects for adherents. In an effort to assert control over Buddhism in Korea, the Government-General issued the Temple Ordinance in 1911, followed by the Propagation Regulations and the Shrine and Temple Regulations in 1915. These religious policies were aimed at dominating Korean Buddhism and regulating religious organizations operating in Korea. However, Japanese Buddhist institutions, which had previously operated with relative autonomy prior to the annexation, faced significant restrictions under these new policies. During the 1910s, Japanese Buddhists in colonial Korea expressed dissatisfaction with these policies, which led to conflicts, as competition among Japanese Buddhist sects for followers intensified. This article reveals new dimensions of Japanese Buddhism during this period, which cannot be adequately explained by the conventional "pro-Japanese vs. anti-Japanese" dichotomy, thus shedding light on a previously overlooked aspect of the religious landscape in colonial Korea.