Eighteen children standing at attention in the field. They wear mostly white jackets (and possibly pink or mauve tops) called 'chogori' and trousers called 'paji.' Some wear shoes called 'komusin' and the others wear shoes ('chipsin'), made of plant fibers. Two children carry a Korean and American flag respectively. These children - being mostly girls - might be orphans being raised in a Christian mission in or near Seoul.
Lots of Japanese soldiers march into Seoul and some civilians (clad in Japanese kimono) are seen in front of the picture. It depicts a very significant occasion. The building at the background is identified as 'Myongdong Songdang' ( Myongdong Cathedral). The stone cathedral, designed by French priest Jorge Coste in 1892, was built in 1898. Myongdong Cathedral is where Kim Bum-woo, a Chinese interpreter, organized Catholic meetings in the 1780s with Lee Seung-hun, the first Korean baptized Catholic. In the underground section of the church are buried foreign and Korean priests who died in the persecution of Catholics by the Chosun Kingdom during the 1800s. Source for the Cathedral: www.hankooki.com/kt_culture/200206/t2002061516554346110.htm (viewed May 31, 2003)
Probably the fire scene at the 'Toksugung' (?) (Palace of Virtuous Long Life). The fire destroyed many buildings of the palace. The origin of this fire is a mystery, but rumors at the time blamed it on the Japanese authorities. It seems that soldiers are looking for something. ''Toksugung' was originally built as a royal villa. However, as other palaces were burnt down during the Japanese invasion in 1592, Toksugung was then used as a palace. [-]. Sokchojon, among other buildings in the palace grounds, is the first Renaissance-style building in Korea. It now houses the Royal Museum, which exhibits items used by the royal court.' Source: Adams, Edward B. Through gates of Seoul : trails and tales of Yi Dynasty, 1970, v. 1, p. 208. www.marimari.com/content/korea/popular_places/seoul/seoul... (viewed May 22, 2003)
Identifier: 1260.57.13.02
Persistent URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1813.001/5xkb
'The human porter who was the most ubiquitous carrier of heavy loads, the A-frame on his back piled high with wood, vegetables, fish, seaweed, bamboo, paper, or pots and pans. It was said that a man could lift up to 250 lbs. with ease and 300 lbs. with assistance. With 100 lbs. on his back he could average thirty miles a day.' This porter, standing beside the railway tracks, is perhaps just waiting for work. Source: Pratt, Keith. Old Seoul, 2002, p. 36.
This picture depicts an elaborate and large scale banquet. Numerous wine bottles and lunch boxes are ready for the guests. We assume that this banquet was held on the grounds of a buddhist temple (a large Buddha statue can be seen in the back to the left).
Inscription/Marks: Inscription in ink under image: 'Japanese banquet' followed by pencilled inscription: 'evidently victory pidgin: note champagne.'
Identifier: 1260.60.09.30.01
Persistent URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1813.001/5xm2
