일본인 여성 야스다 야스코(安田靖子)의 대조선 인식

Abstract

This study purposed to explain a part of how Japanese women living in Korea perceived Korea by analyzing the case of Japanese woman Yasuda Yasuko (安田靖子) who came to Korea during the period of of the Daehan Empire and lived in the country for 3 years and 6 months. While residing in Jinnampo and Gyeongseong in Chosun, Yasuda contributed a series of articles reporting local situations of the place where she was staying. During the days in Jinnampo, she wrote about local life and Korean people’s customs and published them in Women’s News under the title “In Jinnampo,” and in the writings she focused on informing Japanese readers of Korean situations correctly and accurately. Different from the period in Jinnampo, while staying in Gyeongseong, she wrote more essays than reports on local situations. Among the essays, “Korean people’s temple worship” and “Memorial services in Korea” suggest traces of her efforts to exchange with Koreans. As she was accustomed to Korean life, Yasuda showed an active attitude toward Korean local customs and association with Koreans compared to other Japanese before her. She also emphasized that Japanese women should have a right attitude and spirit as the citizens of Japan. Her contributions written on her experiences during her stay in Chosun played a significant role for Japanese female readers in Japan to get realistic contents and information on local life. It was found that Yasuda’s perception of Chosun was consistent with the Japanese government’s direction of foreign policies. At the same time, it agreed with the purpose and editorial direction of Women’s News, the medium that she chose. Her writings out of the historical situation and background of the days, her abilities in writing, and her experiences in Chosun were published in Women’s News, and they were faithful to the Japanese government’s policies. Yasuda Yasuko’s stay in Korea during the early 20th century, her contributions written on her experiences, and her perception of Chosun revealed in the writings show a typical life that Japanese in those days fell in easily. It was uncritical conformity with, voluntary contribution to, and excessive pride in the Japanese government’s cruel strategy for imperial expansion.