Brayan Acevedo 11/15/13
HIST 278 Professor Belsky
Lost Names: A biased Yet relatively accurate depiction
Of Japanese occupation in Korea
The Japanese occupation of Korea arguably began on 1876 with the Japan-Korea Treaty, was further cemented by the Japan- Korea Treaty of 1905, and finally made official by the Japan- Korea annexation Treaty of 1910. Japan occupied Korea for the next 35 years and during this time. In the book, Lost Names scenes from a Korean Boyhood by Richard E. Kim, the young narrator lives through this unfortunate era in Korea’s history, and he depicts what life was like under Japanese rule. Although very moving, this story must be read through carefully with a sense of neutrality and indifference, since this is clearly a biased interpretation. Although biased, I am still inclined to say that for the most part, the historical events are accurate, along with their effects on the Korean population. When viewed through a Japanese perspective, the story is slightly exaggerated and skewed to appeal to the Korean population, yet it is nevertheless a great work of literature, which can aid one in understanding this key event in East Asian history. Although there is an ongoing tension between Korea and Japan today which stems from this period and even decades before, it is important to note that books written on topics such as this are almost always going to have some sort of bias. When one’s country is oppressed and its independence is forcibly taken from them, there is going to be resentment and hatred towards the oppressive force. This is natural, given the patriotic and nationalistic sentiments that are now commonplace around the world. So, in writing this book, it is worth noting that Kim is being biased, but only for the foregoing question; who as a citizen of a country won’t be enraged when their country is essentially overran and manipulated to benefit another country? Furthermore, it may not even be worth asking if this book is biased or not, since the obvious answer is yes. For one, we can take a look at the various characters depicted in the story. First and foremost, the narrator’s father is detested and heavily sought after by the Japanese authorities from the beginning of the story, when the narrator was merely an infant. Yet, when the father returns home he is honored, respected and admired by not only the Koreans, but also by the Japanese. This is despite his rebelliousness and intolerance of the Japanese. This is one prime example of how the little boy is able to see and perhaps envisions his father through the eyes of everyone else. Also, the Japanese are instilled with a forgiving and apologetic side in this novel, albeit, it is when they are aware that the end is inevitable and their demise on the Korean territory is certain. The following scene portrays this best, when the boy is being released from the military labor camp and his conversation with his superior officer goes as follows; "Don't be afraid of me,’ he says, smiling. ‘Not all Japanese are evil men, you know.’ ‘No, sir.’ ‘But you mustn't repeat this to other Japanese.’ ‘I know that, sir.’ ‘We've lost the war,’ he says in a voice so hushed that I am awed by it.’ This scene brought out the repentant sentiment from this Japanese overseer, am emotion that was shared by many nearing the end and the defeat of the Japanese. I do not doubt the accuracy of the historical events along with the dates and overall consequences on Korea as well as the rest of the warring nations. This is more objective knowledge which is not as debatable as the sentiments and punishments brought upon the Korean residents. There is hatred and resentment, feelings shared by Koreans across the country, and these would not subside by the end of the war since Koreans are still resentful nearly half a century later. One example of this is how the boy’s mother felt when her husband was taken away and beaten, Kim writes; “Staring hard toward Manchuria, she feels neither despair nor sorrow but the outrage of a wounded soul. ‘Vengeance is Mine.’ ‘Lord, she prays, ‘free us from them and free us from this nightmare.’ However, it is interesting to see how the Japanese are portrayed. Although the Koreans saw most Japanese as cruel, I feel as if though the author could have gone a lot further and made them out to be crueler than they actually were both in real life and in the book. Kim makes a handful of Japanese more compassionate and understanding than the overall, general population, especially towards the end of the story, which is also towards the end of the war.
One other case is when the priest and his wife are begging for shelter from the mob of Koreans who will execute them no matter what. The priest is lamenting his actions, as a sinner would have done the same before him for the sake of Christ’s forgiveness. He says, "I understand you well. But your father would have helped us… We Japanese have talked about your father before, many times, and we all knew that, when a day like this came, your father would be the only person in town we could count on.” This book does a great job putting the reader in perspective of this era. Yet, it also placed the reader in the head of a Korean boy, one who grow up during the Japanese colonization of Korea, which inevitably leads to his resentment of the Japanese. When reading and analyzing this book one must read between the lines, keeping in mind the bias of the author. Yet, one can also attempt to see it from the Japanese point of view and make comparisons as to what seems realistic and what content is perhaps slightly amplified.

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[ 1 ]. Richard E. Kim. Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood (Kindle Locations 1749-1750). Kindle Edition.
[ 2 ]. Lipman, Jonathan N.; Molony, Barbara A.; Robinson, Michael A. (2011-11-17). Modern East Asia: An Integrated History (Page 307). Pearson. Kindle Edition.
[ 3 ]. Richard E. Kim. Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood (Kindle Locations 127-128). Kindle Edition
[ 4 ]. Richard E. Kim. Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood (Kindle Locations 1886-1888). Kindle Edition.