Manchuria and Korea


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The Diary of 1636


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Early in the seventeenth century, Northeast Asian politics hung in a delicate balance among the Chosŏn dynasty in Korea, the Ming in China, and the Manchu. When a Chosŏn faction realigned Korea with the Ming, the Manchu attacked in 1627 and again a decade later, shattering the Chosŏn-Ming alliance and forcing Korea to support the newly founded Qing dynasty. The Korean scholar-official Na Man’gap (1592–1642) recorded the second Manchu invasion in his Diary of 1636, the only first-person account chronicling the dramatic Korean resistance to the attack. Partly composed as a narrative of quotidian events during the siege of Namhan Mountain Fortress, where Na sought refuge with the king and other officials, the diary recounts Korean opposition to Manchu and Mongol forces and the eventual surrender. Na describes military campaigns along the northern and western regions of the country, the capture of the royal family, and the Manchu treatment of prisoners, offering insights into debates about Confucian loyalty and the conduct of women that took place in the war’s aftermath. His work sheds light on such issues as Confucian statecraft, military decision making, and ethnic interpretations of identity in the seventeenth century. Translated from literary Chinese into English for the first time, the diary illuminates a traumatic moment for early modern Korean politics and society. George Kallander’s critical introduction and extensive annotations place The Diary of 1636 in its historical, political, and military context, highlighting the importance of this text for students and scholars of Chinese and East Asian as well as Korean history.













The face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan


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Explore the diverse landscapes and rich cultures in E. G. Kemp's "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan." Embark on an extraordinary journey through some of Asia's most fascinating regions with E. G. Kemp's captivating travelogue. This book offers a vivid and detailed account of Kemp's travels across Manchuria, Korea, and Russian Turkestan, providing readers with a unique perspective on these diverse and historically rich areas. Kemp's narrative paints a compelling picture of the landscapes, people, and customs encountered throughout the journey. From the bustling cities and tranquil countryside of Manchuria to the vibrant cultures of Korea and the vast, rugged expanses of Russian Turkestan, each region is brought to life with keen observations and eloquent descriptions. The book delves into the intricate details of daily life, cultural practices, and the historical contexts that shape these regions. Kemp's encounters with local inhabitants, coupled with detailed accounts of significant historical sites and events, offer readers a profound understanding of the socio-political landscapes during the time of exploration. Themes of cultural diversity, historical evolution, and the beauty of unexplored territories are intricately woven throughout "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan." Kemp's insightful commentary and engaging storytelling invite readers to reflect on the complexities and richness of these regions' histories and cultures. Since its publication, "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan" has been celebrated for its meticulous research and evocative narrative. The book's ability to transport readers to distant lands and provide an immersive experience has earned it acclaim among travel enthusiasts, historians, and casual readers alike. As you delve into the pages of "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan," you will be captivated by Kemp's detailed and empathetic portrayal of these diverse regions. The book serves as both an informative guide and a heartfelt homage to the beauty and complexity of the cultures and landscapes explored. In conclusion, "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan" is more than a travelogue; it is a rich tapestry of human experience and natural beauty. Whether you are a history buff, a travel enthusiast, or simply curious about these fascinating regions, this book offers an enlightening and enriching journey. Don't miss your chance to explore the captivating regions of Manchuria, Korea, and Russian Turkestan. Let "The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan" guide you through an unforgettable adventure. Grab your copy now and join the readers who have been enchanted by Kemp's masterful storytelling and profound insights.




Two Dreams in One Bed


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Rethinking a key epoch in East Asian history, Hyun Ok Park formulates a new understanding of early-twentieth-century Manchuria. Most studies of the history of modern Manchuria examine the turbulent relations of the Chinese state and imperialist Japan in political, military, and economic terms. Park presents a compelling analysis of the constitutive effects of capitalist expansion on the social practices of Korean migrants in the region. Drawing on a rich archive of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese sources, Park describes how Koreans negotiated the contradictory demands of national and colonial powers. She demonstrates that the dynamics of global capitalism led the Chinese and Japanese to pursue capitalist expansion while competing for sovereignty. Decentering the nation-state as the primary analytic rubric, her emphasis on the role of global capitalism is a major innovation for understanding nationalism, colonialism, and their immanent links in social space. Through a regional and temporal comparison of Manchuria from the late nineteenth century until 1945, Park details how national and colonial powers enacted their claims to sovereignty through the regulation of access to land, work, and loans. She shows that among Korean migrants, the complex connections among Chinese laws, Japanese colonial policies, and Korean social practices gave rise to a form of nationalism in tension with global revolution—a nationalism that laid the foundation for what came to be regarded as North Korea’s isolationist politics.




Manchuria and Korea


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Koreans in Transnational Diasporas of the Russian Far East and Manchuria, 1895–1920


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Much attention has been paid to the Japanese deployment of Koreans in their war efforts during WWII. Much less attention, however, has been given to the subject prior to 1910. This book will: 1) present the evidence which reveals the presence of Koreans in the Japanese military during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–1905, as seen by an American novelist Jack London, before the formal annexation of Korea by Japan; 2) analyze the presence of Koreans on the Japanese and the Russian sides of the war; and 3) investigate why and how these Koreans became involved in someone else’s war. Arirang, a Korean folksong favored and sung by Koreans at home and in exile, has sustained the Korean people in a shared, collective spirit throughout their lives in transnational diasporas in the Russian Far East, Manchuria, and Japan as well as in Korea. This is a study of transnational Koreans as the Arirang people: Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Koreans in the Russian Far East and Manchuria, Chapter 3: Koreans in the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–1905, Chapter 4: Korean Transnationals as Stateless People, 1906–1920, and the Conclusion.