Korean vs Japanese Culture

 In certain places in the novel, there is a strong sense that Korean culture is inferior to Japanese culture. Oftentimes, aspects of the Koreans in the book are described as dirty or outdated (specifically referencing the clothes). There also were mentions of the hygiene of Koreans being worse than the Japanese. The ghetto where the family lives in Osaka is also described as being disgusting. However, there is a conflicting sense that the Korean culture demands more respect. For the most part, the Koreans are described as hardworking and reverential, where the Japanese are described as deceitful and survivalist. In the beginning of the novel, the phrase “with both hands” is used many times. This is when the characters are in Korea. This phrase seems to die out, as it is not used for many decades. But, as Noa accepts a gift of comic books from Hansu, Lee writes, “Noa accepted them with both hands, the way his mother had taught him. The writing was in Korean,” (211). This single phrase represents Lee’s intention to represent Korean culture as being one of respect and dedication to tradition. Contrastingly, there is a theme of a lesser sense of respect with the Japanese characters. The owner of the farm where the family stays is described as “a terrible Japanese, but a smart businessman,” (229). I think Lee is trying to suggest a connection between the attitudes of the Korean vs Japanese people in her book and the political environment at the time. She could be criticizing the harsh Japanese rule.

Comments

  1. Bailey BlackFebruary 27, 2022 at 11:32 PM

    Your observation about the use of the phrase, "with both hands," is a really interesting one. From your description, it seems to be used largely in reference to Korean culture. I'm not sure exactly what Lee might be implying with this though. It could be about respect in Korean culture, but it could also been something else. Either way, I'll certainly keep an eye out for this phrase for the remainder of the book.

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  2. bella burleighFebruary 28, 2022 at 1:14 AM

    I am so happy you found more about the "with both hands" phrases you shared with the class when we first started reading Pachinko. I think what you quoted on page 211 is very telling of what it symbolizes. While I cannot pick up on the specifics, it definitely seems to be in reference to Korean tradition or mannerisms in one way of another. I am thinking maybe it is not something specific to Korean culture but rather a way of showing the acceptance of Korean culture? Or that Korean culture is largely about being accepting of others? I am not sure.

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  3. KrisFebruary 28, 2022 at 12:29 PM

    I wouldn't necessarily say that the novel is implying that Korean culture is inferior to Japanese culture. A fair bit of the demeaning comments towards Korean culture were made by Japanese, who at the time (and for a long time before and a decent time after) believed themselves to be superior to Koreans and the world at large. Also, the ghetto and such being described as dirty is to be expected; Koreans were treated horrendously at the time, and were frequently trampled upon by the draconian Japanese rule as well as other, disgruntled Koreans. In that sense, I don't think that these factors imply inferiority of Korean culture, but an indication of the harsh treatment they received at the time.

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  4. Michelle BMarch 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM

    Great observation about the "two hands" imagery and its significance. I really like this reading.

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