식민지시대 개항장도시 일본인의 생활세계와 식민지인식에 대한 실증연구 - 동창회·향우회 명부, 사진첩, 추억록의 분석 -

Abstract

This research explores the microstructure of the Japanese society in the open port city during the colonial era. For this purpose, (1) the social and economic circumstances of the 1930s Japanese society in the Gunsan area of Chollabuk-do were analyzed, and (2) the name-register of “Wol-myung-hoe” (an alumni home-town association made by the Japanese who had lived in Gusan before they returned to Japan after 1945) were analyzed and a questionnaire survey (also an interview when necessary) for the key members of the register was completed. Also, (3) a collection of literary works made by them, their recollective memory of Korea, was analyzed. Through these analyses, the internal world and identity of the Japanese community could be examined microscopically. The research result confirms that the conqueror, Japanese and the conquered, Koreans existed together in Gunsan society, which was an open port city during colonial era. There was also a class difference among the Japanese. Still it was definitely the Japanese that reigned over Koreans. The colonial ruling structure was maintained through unknown Japan civilians, who were protected and supported by the Japanese colonial government. The Japanese lived in a separate area in Gunsan city and their daily lives were also separated from the Koreans. The Japanese lived in another different world, which was made and operated for them only. In the open port cities, the Japanese's recognition on the colony, Korea, strongly contained the circumstance of their existence as conquerors reigning over Koreans. The Japanese people living in Gunsan city during colonial era had a rough experience called “hikiyage”, which is a Japanese term referring to the Japanese's withdrawal from previous colonies like Korea, China and South Asia, to their mainland Japan after their losing the war in 1945. Back in Japan, they made an association and published collections of literary works until 1965. Most of these works still miss the good old colonial days such as Type 2 classified by Mr. Takasaki. However, there were also a substantial number of Type 1 Japanese, while Type 3 were very difficult to find. It is believed that a task still remains to explore the colony recognition of the Japanese with more depth, through ways such as cross-interviewing the Japanese and the Koreans who lived in the same era, in addition to more interviews with the survivors.