Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    
Hi, Mitsu.  From what little I know of the subject, I concur with your
observations in #122.  It does seem to me that Koreans and Japanese
have more in common than either one of the groups might like to
acknowledge.  I think if you do a classic "compare and contrast," you
will get a very long list in both columns.  For one thing, I've noticed
in my dealings with Koreans that they seem to be fond of many Japanese
foods (or Japanese styles of preparing foods), e.g., tempura.  From
what I've observed, most Koreans love to eat tempura.  And I've seen
quite a lot of Korean sushi bars, both in the LA area as well as the SF
Bay Area.  

I also get the impression that it is the older generation - the WWII
generation - of Koreans that harbors more hostility toward Japanese. 
They tend to be pro-American, revere MacArthur as practically a saint,
and are often bitterly anti-Japanese.  The younger generation does not
seem to be quite the same.  My impression is that they are more likely
to be anti-American and pro-Japanese.  If I'm not mistaken, there's
been a great upsurge in Koreans studying the Japanese language, for
example.

Overall, the situation of Koreans with respect to the Japanese strikes
me as roughly analogous to that of the Irish with respect to the
British.  The Irish have plenty of reason to hate the British, and
indeed, many do.  After all, the British occupation of Ireland was
closer to 3.5 *centuries* than the 3.5 decades that Japan occupied
Korea.  And British occupation still remains today for a portion of
Ireland.  The most intense anti-British sentiment today is found in
Norhtern Ireland, and in towns of the Republic of Ireland that are
close to the border with "the North," such as Dundalk.  But in spite of
all that, many (if not most) Irish have adopted  - or better yet -
*absorbed* certain aspects of the dominant culture.  As the Irish
author Frank McCourt (of _Angela's Ashes_ fame) recently stated,
Ireland looked outward to three distant capitals when he was growing up
there in '30s & 40's:  London, Rome (Vatican), and Hollywood - IN THAT
ORDER.  "Not Dublin - London, Rome, Hollywood."

Perhaps there is something at work here that is more akin to some form
or another of colonialism, than to a specific nationality.
  

    
and, I'm back...

> #120 of 125: Roger Windsor (jonl) Wed 29 May
> Email from Roger Windsor:
> San-shin is of historical interest, and important to those who 
> continue to follow the shamanic beliefs, but do you see San-shin 
> playing any role in the future of Korea, or will it merely fade 
> away along with other traditional practices as modern culture 
> continues to flood Asia and other parts of the world? 

Yes, I think San-shin will play a significant role in the future 
developments of Korean culture, although in transformed ways.  The
conception, depiction & style of San-shin have always been evolving
not static, which has kept it quite relevant here in 2002.  I see no
reason that this evolution will stop -- it'll probably accelerate.

> What role could, or should, it play on the national scene 

1. symbol of the best of their own unique traditional culture, for
   Koreans themselves.
2. promoted internationally, as one of the cultural symbols of Korea
   (there are 10 official ones now, designated by my Ministry).
   All countries are interested in having their own symbols, like 
   the American bald eagle, the Russian bear, the Chinese dragon...
3. As a symbol of eco-wisdom-consciousness and protection of the 
   enviornment, used by Korea's rapidly-growin "green" movement.
   Those old tabboos we talked of above are perfect for being evolved
   into modern "respect for Nature" and "don't damage the forests".
4. Due to its national-characteristic-ness and strong links to 
   National Founder-King Dan-gun (mythical), San-shin will play an 
   important role in the re-unification of Korea on the *cultural*
   level.  North Korea now heavily supports the Dan-gun meme, even
   proclaiming him "a historical reality" -- and just 2 months ago 
   permitted a big Mountain-Spirit ceremony on their territory as I
   posted about above.  San-shin is one of the answers to the inevi-
   table questions about "WHY should we consider ourselves as the 
   same people, as one big family, anyway?".

> and in the individual lives of Koreans?

Respect for San-shin can help in the formation of healthy positive
national identity, and be something to be proud of, as individuals
and groups like school-kids.  Taken in a secular sort of way, that
is... one symbol of the best of their own traditional culture, one
thing that is NOT shared by China & Japan.  

The paintings serve as mandalas of humanity-in-the-world & ecological
wisdom; meditation on them and performing rituals in front of them 
can be part of a tradition-oriented spiritual path, assisting in 
personal growth and pschological serenity -- that's how i use them, 
and some Koreans now do to.  I expect that to increase.

more later.  I'm off for a mountain-hike with an old-friend, to seek
a few more San-shin shrines...
  

    
... and, I'm back, with sore feet.  We climed to the peak of 508-m
"Buddha Rocks Mountain" right here in Seoul -- not so high, but real
pyramid-shaped and very steep; all exposed granite around the peak.
Almost like rock-climbing in places!  But we made it, and drank good
Islay scotch up on the peak enjoying a magnificent view -- as is our
12-year custom (this friend, Mark, is on pgs 56-57 of the book!).

> #122 of 127: Pseud Impaired (mitsu) Wed 29 May 
> > there're many rounds of consultations first
> This is also a very Japanese cultural trait.  

Well, i'd think that it's a cultural trait just about everywhere in
the world except the industrialized West...

> I've read that in recent years in Japan, there has been an 
> upswell in the fashionability of Koreans 

This is true; Korean culture is "hot" in Japan (and China & SE Asia
too!).  Japanese now admire Koreans for some of what they used to 
look down on them for -- they're colorful, creative, outspoken, bold.
As Japan endlessly stagnates and slowly sinks, with no hope in sight,
Koreans made the Hard Choices towards economic & political reform,
and are now reviving dynamically.  Korean "spice" is held in contrast
to Japanese gray blandness, stifling conformity.  And the K kids just
plain make better Hip-hop videos...  ;-)

> the two actually share quite a few cultural qualities.  

Sure, lots.

> I'm sure one could write volumes on the tortured relationship 
> between the two nations, but I am curious if you have noticed 
> attitudes in Korea towards Japanese changing or shifting 

Sure, they're slowly maturing, nuancing, just like attitudes towards
Americans.  Increasingly, Koreans seem to be OK with individual
Japanese and J culture but focus their resentment towards the J 
government and right-wing elites who want to revive militarism.
They really hate the lack of honesty about 1900-1945, and the lack
of sincere apology or symbolic compensation.

> is there a recognition of what seems to me to be this similarity 
> (though I am sure many Koreans wouldn't want to acknowledge that!

No, i think there's plenty of recognition of the many similarities,
and no prob on the K side acknowledging it.  Most Koreans now firmly
believe that J royal/aristocratic elites descended from Koreans, and
that J got most of its bronze-&-iron-age culture from K, just wish 
the J would admit that openly.  Ks have no problem admitting that 
their education and export-economic systems, and many social insti-
tutions, were copied directly from the successful J models after 
WWII -- as they are now shucking off those outdated models.

> Why do you think Koreans would feel more comfortable moving into 
> a Japanese neighborhood, despite the long-running conflicts 
> between the two countries?

Because they know well that their similarities of outlook & lifestyle
will mesh much better than with the White Barbarians (not to even 
mention the much-feared various-shades-of-Brown Barbarians!).
  

    
When I attended West Los Angeles College (1976-77) and USC (77-80),
one difference that I observed was that Japanese students were like a
close-knit family, and tended to congregate on campus in large groups
(10-20-30), while the Korean students tended to cluster in small groups
(3-4-5), if it all.  I interpreted it to suggest something about a
sense of individuality among Koreans.
  

    
They do seem individualist compared to the *Japanese*, in social 
situations, but still way groupish compared to Americans like me...
  

    
>consultations

Well, Japanese turn consultations into almost an obsession --- nothing is
decided until everyone agrees.  Of course, people are expected to go along
with the group even if they disagree -- unless they really feel strongly.
On the other hand, the group is also expected to bend over backwards, so to
speak, to avoid stepping too hard on any member of the group's toes.  If
you're on the "inside" of a Japanese group, both the loyalty you're expected
to show and the support you can expect to get are quite amazing.  It is
interesting to me to see if Koreans have any similar tendencies --- it seems
from what you say they are somewhat more individualistic, but still fairly
group-oriented.

Europeans consult wth each other too, of course, but not at the level of
almost bizarre extremes the Japanese go to.  It's as though every single
person in the group has to be consulted before anything can be decided.
This is both a virtue and a fault ---- it makes it difficult for
Japanese companies to make quick decisions, since so many people have to
get involved with any given decision.  It kind of makes me glad to live
in cowboy America --- even though also I miss the sense of support I always
feel with my family, when I am out in the individualistic "real world"
of my country, America.

>aristocratic elites

Yes, I've seen some of the examples of similarities in burial grounds.
There is also a theory that the samurai class has Ainu blood --- we have
certain features, like larger noses than average, etc., which are also Ainu
traits.  Many Japanese hate to admit this, but I personally love to think
that I might have Ainu blood.  Seem poetic justice somehow (i.e., that
Japanese come to realize they were ruled by a class of people who were in
fact descended from folks they used to treat as barbarians!)

>individuality

I am curious to know how you feel Koreans balance individuality with group
considerations.  In what ways do you think Koreans have developed a unique
approach to this?
  

    
My Korean friend often speaks with disgust about Koreans who immigrate
here and "loose their minds," or throw off much of their culture.  He
says that many are seduced by the newfound sense of freedom they feel
in the US, as if they're no longer bound by the old customs and social
norms.  Divorce, for example, is rare in Korea, but very common among
Korean immigrants here, according to Lee.

On the other hand, Lee's greatest hero and role model is Musashi
Miyamoto, the great samurai of Eiji Yoshikawa's epic novel (as well as
Kurosawa's classic Samurai trilogy based on the same).  And I think to
say that Musashi was a rugged indivualist would be putting it mildly.
  

    

Say you guys, I just realized that your two weeks are up!  The
conversation seems to keep rolling on, so don't let me stop you.  I just
want to say thanks so much for joining us to David and Mitsu, and thanks
for the amazing stories and information you both have brought to light.

Thanks also to all the participants for such a bright and lively 
discussion.

Please feel free to continue as long as you like.
  

    
Thanks, Linda, we will...  as long as it's interesting.

Sorry to be away for 30 hours, but something originally scheduled 
for next weekend just happened this weekend instead.  I was just out
overnight Sat-Sun with a director & camera-crew for KBS (the Korea 
Broadcasting System, the #1 network, government-invested).  We were
filming one of a 20-part series on foreigners living in Korea who
are interacting with Korean culture, which will be shown later in 
June as part of the World Cup broadcasting... it may go international
with WC-showing channels.

We were filming for a 20 minute show featuring "jang-seung", which 
are spirit-guardian poles, sometimes stone but usually wooden, most
often in male-female pairs.  They have faces carved on them sortta 
like Alaskan totem poles, but only one face per pole, and only human
faces not animals -- tho they are crude & wildly exaggerated faces, 
cartoonish, usually trying to look fearsome with bared teeth.  

They were set up at the entrances of villages, to keep out "evil
spirits".  They were carved by artisans who ritually "purified" 
themselves and then had a dream or vision, & then were erected with
festive celebration and Shamanic ceremony.  With their role of
defending the village against spirit-caused misfortune (from the 
outside world, brought in by the road) they are closely related to
"seo-nang-dang" [simple Tutelary Shrines] and vaguely related to 
San-shin.  See pages 42-44 of my book.

So anyway, the TV crew came over to my apartment and spent an hour
filming me introducing myself, my collection of Korean art, my book
and some of my photos.  Then we took off in their van Saturday
afternoon and all day Sunday, visiting some places that still have 
old jang-seung set up and talking to the villagers about them; we 
watched an artist carve a small pair (I helped a little bit, for the
camera; he gave them to me to take home).  

We then visited a domestic-tourist-oriented "neo-traditionalist"
village (at the entrace to a famous Zen temple) with hundreds of 
*modern*-style jang-seung set up in it, all carved by a real nice
creative guy.  Besides every imaginable variation of weird human 
faces, he has done series of jang-seung showing the Presidents of
Korea, the last six World Cups, various religious deities (incl a 
Jesus - Mother-Mary pair!), north-south Korean re-unification, etc!
Great stuff.  I was filmed interviewing him, and giving my own
thoughts on what this is all about.  Should be a decent TV show.    
  

    
> #131 of 134: Pseud Impaired (mitsu) Sat 01 Jun 
> Japanese turn consultations into almost an obsession --- nothing 
> is decided until everyone agrees.

Koreans usually consult around quite a bit, but then the big boss 
decides and everyone has to pretend to go along.  Those who are 
oppressed by it just "swallow their bitterness" until something 
changes.  If the decision was a stupid one, all the staff will just
quietly undermine it until the boss realizes and starts acting as if
he had really decided something smarter.  There's a lot of struggle to
get to be the big boss... and Koreans are famous for breaking up into
factions which bitterly oppose each other and bicker with accusations
of un-orthodoxy and impurity (like western leftists), 
so that no progress is ever made until a dictator seizes control and
forces decisions through...

> If you're on the "inside" of a Japanese group, both the loyalty 
> you're expected to show and the support you can expect to get 
> are quite amazing.  

That's the same in Korea, for sure.  Although the groups are always
fracturing into factions... 

> Koreans ... are somewhat more individualistic, but still fairly
> group-oriented.

Yes, that's right.  Many Japanese seem to think that Koreans are
colorful, creative, earthy and outspoken compared to themselves --
traits they use to despise but are now looking up to.

> I am curious to know how you feel Koreans balance individuality 
> with group considerations.  In what ways do you think Koreans have
> developed a unique approach to this?

Well, there have always been heavy conformist pressures here (tho 
they are greatly reducing under American influence), but also plenty
of escape-valves for them -- heavy drinking is a big one, Shamanism 
is another big one (or at least was), and running off to the wild
mountains to do your own thing has long been available -- plenty of
escapees from the suit-and-tie BS life can be found out there. 
  

    
> #132 of 134: Gerry Feeney (gerry) Sat 01 Jun 
> My Korean friend often speaks with disgust about Koreans who 
> immigrate here and "loose their minds," or throw off much of their
> culture.  He says that many are seduced by the newfound sense of 
> freedom they feel in the US, as if they're no longer bound by the
> old customs and social norms.  

Well they *aren't*, and it is very liberating i'm sure...  Many of 
the Koreans here hate those who escaped to the freedom of America --
hate them out of envy.  They wish they could do the same, or at least
to arrange their children to do it...  a big fad now is for pregnant
women to get a USA tourist visa and give birth on American soil, to 
give the kid all those advantages; thousands of Korean women are doing
it every year, the paper says. 

> Divorce, for example, is rare in Korea, but very common among
> Korean immigrants here, according to Lee.

Make that "used to be rare"... South Korea is rapidly catching up to
American rates.  But there's still a strong stigma attached, and
divorced women have a hard time socially and professionally.

> ... Musashi Miyamoto, the great samurai of Eiji Yoshikawa's epic 
> novel (as well as Kurosawa's classic Samurai trilogy based on 

I have *loved* that 1100-page novel, and that movie trilogy, for 20
years now! Truly an amazing reinterpretation of traditional Japanese
culture by early 20th century Japanese "moderns".  I really love the
model of the well-balanced Zen/Daoist "Perfect Human Being" ideal 
that it presents...  very powerful.  Fits with my conception of what
the Korean Mountain-Spirits represent.
  

    
> I have *loved* that 1100-page novel, and that movie trilogy,
> for 20 years now! 

Interesting.  Is it popular in Korea?  A friend from Taiwan told me it
was popular there.
  

    
Yesterday on Spanish language television, I caught a glimpse of what
appeared to be the opening ceremonies of the World Cup.  What I saw was
hundreds of Koreans performing some kind of choreographed
presentation.  At one point, the entire field was cover with some type
of light fabric (with the performed beneath it), and the covering
slowly took the shape of a tall mountain.  I was only able to see a few
minutes of it.  I don't expect to have another chance, since the games
(and the pagentry even more so) are vastly undercovered here in the
US.

David, you probably saw the whole thing, didn't you?  Did any of it
relate to San-shin?


 
  

    
> #137 of 138: Gerry Feeney (gerry) Sun 02 Jun 
> > I have *loved* that 1100-page novel, and that movie trilogy,
> >  [Musashi] for 20 years now!
> Interesting.  Is it popular in Korea?  A friend from Taiwan told 
> me it was popular there.

Actually, i bought my copy of the novel in Taipei in 81, and have
only seen the movies in the USA.  modern Japanese culture is very 
popular in Taiwan.  But it was officially banned in Korea since the
1950s.  It was available underground, tho, like porno movie-tapes.
And it was widely *copied* in Korean film, music, comics etc -- they
would just change the language & names, a whole big chunk of the K 
entertainment biz 1960-95 was just doing that.  But after a decade 
of heacy debate, J culture was permitted to come in (slowly, step-
by-step) by the KDJ gov.  Part of the very long slow process of 
reconciliation.  Koreans are getting to see classic J movies, like
those by Kurosawa, for the first time...
  

    
> #138 of 139: Gerry Feeney (gerry) Sun 02 Jun 
> and the covering slowly took the shape of a tall mountain.  
> Did any of it relate to San-shin?

No... just a theme of a mountain, which is so common in Korean (and
global) culture...  as part of the general royal-ceremony theme of
the Opening Ceremony.  I think that because of the Korea-Japan co-
hosting, they were using the theme of royal delegations visiting 
each other's capitals, crossing mountains & oceans, just like in the
old days. Welcoming each other with courteous ceremony, then turning
competition (soccer) into harmony...

Japan will have the Closing Ceremony.

It would've been pretty radical if they HAD included a San-shin in
the pagentry, as s/he has never yet achieved that level of official
recognition.  I'm confident that it someday will...  At the 1988 
Seoul Olympics, the Closing Ceremony included a long passage adopted
from the native-Korean Shamanic funeral-ritual -- that was stunning,
a big surprise, quite controversial -- the Protestants raised hell 
about it for the next week or two.  I was smiling.
  

    
not part of the ceremony - but I have heard there is allot of conversation
on that part of the world right now - if I get this right - because the
Japan President visited a monument honoring war dead in their fight against
Korea and China... - did I get that right?  This is third hand information
and the US press has narely covered it.  I only bring this up because you
brought Japan into the conversation....
  

    
Yes, that's right.  The controversey comes up every year, is top-
headline news all over NE Asia.  Tokyo maintains the Y*** Shrine,
Shinto-style, that enshrines the souls of around 14,000,000 Japanese
who died violently in the whole WWII period.  So it's kinda their 
Arlington National Cemetary.  Lotsa families visit it to honor and
pacify their member(s) who died in the war.  So far OK.

Problem is that it includes specific memorial tablets for 14 men 
who were judged and hung as "Class A War Criminals" after the war,
for their ordering atrocities against Chinese, Korean, Filipino etc
civilians (and allied prisoners).  J Prime Ministers & other VIPs
go there annually to pay official respects, victim nations & groups
are outraged that the War Criminals get officially "worshipped".
The J refuse to take those 14 names out, say "what's the big deal?"
and "it's our domestic business, butt out".

A few recent J Prime Ministers didn't go, and international relations
improved.  But Koyzumui (sp?), reformer & Mr Popular, is a strong
nationalist and insisted to go, including right before the World Cup,
ensuring an ugly mood with Korea & China, scuttling recent progress
in relations.   Many East Asians fear that these visits symbolize 
J's intention to re-arm / re-militarize, and that someday it might
resume attempts at imperial expansion.  Tho that seems so terribly 
unlikely now...
  

    
That is Yasukuni Shrine. It's a creepy place for me to visit.
  

    
with so many not-at-peace souls represented there...  it must be a
creepy place for anybody to visit.  Why you in particular?  Do you
have a family member enshrined there...?
  

    
Oh, no, no. I just think that anybody living in Tokyo should visit it at
least once to get an idea of the reverence surrounding it, why it's such a
litmus test for prime ministers if they decide to visit it or not. The
Japanese War Bereaved Association is a powerful lobby that still keeps
schoolchildren in the dark about what the Imperial Army did to its own
soldiers, and then to thousands and thousands of other Asians, from 1930 to
1945.

Visiting Yasukuni Shrine also gave me visual confirmation of the link
between ultranationalist groups and criminal gangs in Japan. Out on the
grounds were a number of sharply dressed men in dark suits and sunglasses,
loitering as if waiting for someone.
  

    
Yeah, that link is a powerful behind-the-scene factor that keeps 
the bad mood between Japan and its neighbors going on and on well
after the batteries on it should've run out.  The right-wing ultra-
nationalist groups and "Yakuza" criminal gangs back LDP politicians,
and keep prompting them to say and do dumb otherwise-meaningless 
things that keep sentiment in Korea & China whipped up against every-
thing associated with Japan. 

I don't really "understand" this, like, WHY they keep this up, what
benefit do they get from it?  Who is benefitting from maintaining 
the public animosity, and how?  There must be some *big* money 
involved somehow, but i don't know how it works.  I've heard that 
ethnic Koreans are a high % of gangster membership in Japan, which
makes this complex all the more mysterious...
  

    
Meanwhile, Korea just had one of the biggest nights EVER in their
history!  Fair to say it was "the Woodstock of their generation"
for all teenage & twenties South Koreans, something that they'll 
never forget.  I was awed at the sight of 100,000 youngsters packed
into the big intersection near where i work, all at such a fever-
pitch of united emotion...    Koreans are a famously morose grim-
faced bunch, but *everybody* is smiling real wide this morning!
  

    
Sounds great!  What was the occasion, David?
  

    
Uhmmmm...  we're having a little event over here called "World Cup",
involving a game called "football" ("soccer" to you). Understandable
that Americans aren't even aware it's going on -- tho a USA team is
among the 32 competing -- but it is a BIG deal in the entire rest
of the world, and most especially here, trust me.     ;-)

South Korea had gotten into 5 World Cups before this, but never won
a single game.  Last night, with 99.9% of the nation watching (i can
imagine even the mountain-Zen monks & San-shin Shamans i know were 
glued to a TV!), the South Korean team shut out Poland (a tough team!
best in Eastern Europe...) 2-0, making it look easy.  JOY is the 
ubiquitous result.

Ya hafta understand what this means for a nation that has suffered 
an inferiority complex for 2000 straight years, and is now starting
to enter the ranks of the countries that really matter in this world
and knows it... (at least the younger gen knows it deep down, wheras
many of their elders remain with "we are humble losers" mentality).

Meanwhile, the same afternoon, Big Brother China just LOST its opener
0-2, to, ferBuddhassake, Costa Rica!  And Japan did a 2-2 draw.
  

    
Ah, now I get it.  Actually, I've long been a fan of the game.  I was
first exposed to the game at the age of six, while living in Berlin
(where I was born).  I also played and went to games while living in
Mexico, plus I played on USC's intramural team (where I was the only
white guy - my teammates were Saudis, Egyptians, Iranians, Taiwanese,
Japanase, & Koreans).

The problem here is piss-poor coverage.  Aside from the cable ESPN2
(which I don't have), I'm only aware of one game aired so far on
American network TV last weekend.  Maybe if NBA & NHL championships
weren't going on now there would be better coverage?  Maybe, but I
wouldn't bet on it.  Today, for instance, Russia vs. Tunisia & Germany
vs. Ireland will only be aired on Spanish language TV.  ESPN2 will
cover US vs. Portugal and Senegal vs. Denmark.  Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC: 
nothing.  In today's _San Francisco Chronicle_, the Korean victory is
reported on the third page of the sports section, along with the
schedule & standings.  

Anyway, tell your Korean friends there's at least one American who
sends his congratulations.