ABSTRACT
The development of Japanese archaeology as a field discipline paralleled territorial expansion and the establishment of modern cultural institutions, such as museums and cultural preservation committees, not only in Japan but also in its colonies. The first modern-era heritage legislation was introduced during the Meiji era (1868–1912) when Japan’s newly established Education Ministry and Exposition Office imported classifications systems, museum inventories, and exhibition formats from Europe. Following the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula in 1910, the Colonial Government-General Office in Korea (CGK 1910–1945) sponsored the first systematic archaeological surveys to be carried out in the empire (Table 7.1). The Korean Peninsula was the only Japanese colony where the colonial government and academics spent more than four decades conducting annual surveys and nationwide excavations, building museums, and launching massive tourist restoration projects ranging from burial mounds to Buddhist temples and palaces (Pai 1994, 2000). Here, I have only space enough to introduce the major archaeological discoveries made by the first generation of professionally trained archaeologists, ethnologists, and art historians who were sent to conduct fieldwork in Korea at the turn of the century. Their archaeological discoveries between 1900 and 1915 were critical in the creation of the CGK Committee on Korean Antiquities and the promulgation of the first comprehensive set of archaeological heritage management laws in the peninsula. I then discuss the pivotal role that print media, from picture postcards to travel guidebooks, played in the dissemination of archaeological information targeted toward Japanese tourists as well as foreigners. Colonial-era tourist publications featuring Korea’s ancient remains (koseki) and customs (fūzoku) advertising the peninsula as the most “historically scenic” destination transformed the colony into the most popular Japanese tourist destination in the 1920s and 1930s. Since the end of the Pacific War in 1945, many South Korean archaeologists have continued to condemn the prewar-era Japanese archaeologists’ activities as “systematic plunder,” without understanding why and how ruins and relics were reclaimed as part of “Japanese racial and imperial heritage” in the colonial era. 1 Chronology of Heritage Management in Japan and Korea (Fieldwork, Disciplines, Institutions, and Tourist Industry) https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
1874. 5
Meiji government bans excavations of legendary “burial mounds” and sacred sites.
1884
The Tokyo Anthropological Society is established at Tokyo University (prehistoric archaeology specimens deposited).
1887
Japan’s racial origins debate begins: Ainu vs. Prehistoric Koro-pok-guru (Pre-Ainu).
1888
Imperial Office sets up office in charge of preliminary survey of treasures.
1893
Tokyo Imperial University Anthropological Society establishes specimens laboratory under Torii Ryūzō.
1895
Sino-Japanese War. Torii undertakes first survey of Taiwan and Manchuria. Preservation Laws governing Temples and Shrines are promulgated. Government takes over the management and preservation of nationally registered art, artifacts, and documents belonging to temples and shrines (beginning of national treasures system).
1901
Yagi, Sōzaburō sent to conduct first archaeological survey of the Korean Peninsula.
1902
Sekino Tadashi is sent by Tokyo University to survey art and architecture in Korea.
1904
Keifu-sen [Pusan-Seoul] Railways Line is completed.
1906
Imanishi Ryū surveys Keishū (Kyŏngju) Silla capital in southwest Korea.
1907
Excavations of Kimhae Shellmound in Korea are undertaken by Imanishi Ryű.
1908
Yi Royal Museum, zoo, and botanical garden are built in Ch’anggyŏng-wŏn, Keijō [Seoul].
1910
Annexation of Korea.
1911
Colonial Governor-General commissions Torii Ryūzō to conduct first systematic survey of prehistoric archaeological remains and ethnographic surveys. The Shiseki
Meisho Tennenkinnenbutsu Hozonkai [Historic Sites, Famous Places, and Natural Monuments Protection Committee] is established in Japan.
1911
Temples Protection Act is promulgated in the Korean Peninsula by the Colonial Governor-General.
1912. 3.12
Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB) is established at Tokyo Railway Station and is the first bureau to issue a pamphlet printed in English (2,000 copies) and French (3,000 copies)
1912. 11–12
JTB sets up branches in Dalian at South Manchuria Railroad office (SMR), Keijō (Chosen Railways office), and Taipei office (Taiwan Railways)
1912
Reconstruction of Sŏkkuram funded by the Colonial Governor-General begins.
1913. 6. 10
Tourist is published as a bimonthly magazine with bilingual (English/Japanese) articles.
1914. 1
English maps of Keijō, Dalian, and Formosa (3,000 copies) are distributed.
1914. 2
JTB agents/branches are set up in 30 locations around the world.
1914.10
The Keijō Chōsen Hotel, managed by the Chōsen Railways, is established.
1915.2
JIR “through” pass is offered, linking ship and rail services to Manchuria/Chōsen, sold at Tokyo train station branch (up to 30% discounted tickets valid for six months).
1915.8
Kŭmgangsan Station Hotel opens in Onjŏngni in North Korea.
1915.12
The Colonial Governor-General Fine Arts Museum is established in Kyŏngbokkung Palace.
1916
Colonial Governor-General Committee for the Investigations of Ancient Remains and Relics [Chōsen Koseki Chosa ininkai] is established. Regulations on the Preservation of Ancient Sites and Relics are promulgated. These are the first comprehensive preservation laws governing art and archaeological remains, predating Japan by three years. Measurement are taken of Kyŏngju Hwangyongsa temple remains and Sachonwangsa temple, Chŏlla-namdo Songgwangsa temple. Koguryŏ tombs in Jian are investigated by Sekino Tadashi.
1918
Major reconstruction of Pulguksa begins; Colonial Governor-General Construction department takes eight years.
1918
Kyŏngju Silla tombs excavated (by Kuroita Katsumi and Harada Yoshito).
1921
Kyŏngju Museum is established.
1926
Chōsen Manchuria Office sets up in Tokyo, Shimonoseki, and Shinjuku stations.
1926
Kyŏngju branch museum is established; Keijō tram service begins.
1932
Chōsen Hotel Company is formed to run former Chōsen Railways hotels: Keijō Chōsen, Fusan Station, Shingishu Station, Kumgangsan Onjŏngni, Changanri, Keijō station restaurant, and train restaurants.
1943
JTB shuts down branches due to the expansion of the Pacific War.
