Rhetoricity of History and Narrativity of Life: A Life History Approach to the First- Generation Koreans in Japan A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Min Wha Han June 2009 © 2009 Min Wha Han. All Rights Reserved. This dissertation titled Rhetoricity of History and Narrativity of Life: A Life History Approach to the First- Generation Koreans in Japan by MIN WHA HAN has been approved for the School of Communication Studies and the Scripps College of Communication by Raymie McKerrow Professor of Communication Studies Gregory J. Shepherd Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii ABSTRACT HAN, MIN WHA, Ph.D., June 2009, Communication Studies Rhetoricity of History and Narrativity of Life: A Life History Approach to the First- Generation Koreans in Japan (272 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Raymie McKerrow The purpose of this dissertation is to explore, record, and analyze the traces of colonial and postcolonial conditions through various standpoints of Korean diasporic communities in Japan. My approach is to reveal life course narratives of the first- generation Koreans in Japan. As a third-generation Zainichi Korean whose familial history witnesses, yet has overlooked, the colonial root as an origin of displacement, I employ a self-reflexive stance and an insider’s (yet only in a partial form) perspective to history writing. Specifically, in this dissertation, I ask: 1) what would be some shared life course experiences of first generation Koreans in Japan as the population whose lives are conditioned by the colonial displacement, and how are they narrated by them?; and 2) how would the first generation Koreans’ stories of their displacement explain their material and sociopolitical circumstances that were uniquely conditioned by the colonial history and diasporic experiences? Chapters approach these research questions in multiple ways—with my autobiographical reflections, with a historical literature review, with a discussion of rhetorical history, narrative as well as postcolonial theories, and with actual stories collected through field work. The stories of the interviewed first generation Zainichi Koreans are divided, yet acknowledging the interconnectedness, into two versions—‘Big’ and ‘Small’— based on the intensity and duration of life story iii interviews. The Big stories, about which I aim to narrate the participants’ holistic life history, have revealed the three ‘relationships’: 1) the past relationship between colonial rulers and subjects; 2) the present relationship between postcolonial subjects and the society; and 3) the power relation between popularly acknowledged memory and oppressed ones. The ‘Small’ stories, which are context-based and conversational narrations of the participants’ life experiences, have emotionally spoken to what I call the six ‘then and now’ problems. The challenges they have faced in daily lives in Japan have been expressed in such thematic terms as: name, education, work, poverty, illiteracy, and kurou, or hardship. The Big and Small stories, collectively speak to the continuity of the colonial experiences among the first generation Koreans in Japan: Experienced migration to Japan, witnessed the transition from the old Korea to the divided one, and transformed (or resisted doing so) their positionality/s from the “Japanese subjects” to the permanent “foreigners” cum “citizens” in Japan. Through the lenses of rhetorical history perspective, I argue for an importance of a critical perspective on the part of a researcher in the process of text-making in history writing. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Raymie McKerrow Professor of Communication Studies iv To my father v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have waited and waited to write this section of my dissertation hoping that I would finally find the ‘right words’ to write. But, as has always been the case for me in my years of studying in the United States, this time again, I could not reach the point where I know what the ‘right words’ would be to thank every person I owe for this work. What I do at this time, again, is to try to express my desire to thank enough and appreciate enough those people, without whom I could not get here, with careful words, and with sincere heart. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my academic advisor, Dr. Raymie E. McKerrow. Ever since I came to Ohio, with the hope to learn from him, I have been constantly amazed to learn how humble, thoughtful, and humorous person he is. I am honored to be able to have him as my academic advisor, and am grateful for our frequent conversations in his office, on the phone, at a coffee shop, over lunch and dinner. After the tremendous help and support I gained from him, I find myself repeating what many people have already said, “Without his help and guidance this dissertation could not be completed.” I really mean it. I would also like to thank my dissertation committee members, Dr. William Rawlins, Dr. Devika Chawla, and Dr. Julie White. They are three brilliant professors whose classes I enjoyed taking, insights and mentorship I always appreciated. I am grateful for many learning opportunities with Dr. Rawlins, whose personality and way of living I admire so much. I am thoroughly thankful for my “unexpected” encounter with the worlds of narrative, friendship, and dialogue. They happened to me, thanks to him. vi Dr. Devika Chawla not only provided me with academic opportunities, but also gave me personal help on many occasions. She is a kind of person whose emotional and academic support co-helped the struggling student. Dr. Julie White was one of the most brilliant and smartest persons that I have ever met. Just listening to her talk, I was constantly pulled into the world of learning and growing. I truly appreciate each of the committee members for reading and guiding my work. My sincere appreciation and respect goes to all the grandmothers and grandfathers I met for the purpose of this project, and those who kindly agreed to tell me their life stories. I will never forget their songs, tears and smiles, on top of the stories and wisdom they shared with me. Gomapsumnida (Thank you). I am thankful for all the academic opportunities and financial help the School of Communication Studies provided with me. Teaching was one of the great things that happened to me in my life, giving me hope and joy to keep learning. Thank you to all the students I met at Ohio University for making me who I am as a little teacher/scholar today. You were always my teachers and scholars that I learned from. I even thank chilly winters and the frequent rains in Athens, Ohio, because the former made me appreciate the warm apartment as a cozy space for me to think, read, write, and grow, whereas the latter a cup of cappuccino inside a coffee shop. I also thank all the wonderful people, professors and friends I could meet here in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. In particular, I thank my cohort members for helping each other, learning, and growing together, and my friendship with vii them. Thank you for your warm support and kind words during the hard time I had to go through. Finally, I would like to express my deepest ‘thank you’ and love to my family. With their unconditional love, support, and encouragement, I could earn the courage to continue my doctoral path. My father, mother, and sister have never lost faith in me, even those moments I myself thought it impossible to finish. And, there is one ‘connector’ for my family’s bond—our lovely cat Hyang. I felt blessed in every moment I could spend with her, especially upon finishing this dissertation. Just being there with me, she kept me at home to write, relax, and be encouraged. Her presence, and illness, taught me how I should bless each moment with my family. My sincere appreciation goes to my husband Dr. Jong Hwa Lee. Both as a mentor and partner, he encouraged me in every moment. I am grateful for the transformation from the former to the latter that happened to us. I am also excited about our new journey—as husband and wife, and as co-writers for our projects. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Autobiographic Reflection as an Entry Point ................................................................. 1 Summary, Research Questions, and Preview ............................................................... 10 CHAPTER 2: FRAMING THE OREGIN OF ZAINICHI KOREANS ............................ 13 Framing Modernity and Colonialism from the Perspective of Japanese Annexation of Korea ............................................................................................................................. 14 Roles of Emperor in Imperial Japan and Colonial Korea ......................................... 18 The Ways of Naturalization .....................................................................................