Korean and Japanese postcards of the past - homes

Korean thatch and tile roof homes during the early 1900s.

By Robert Neff

When we compare the postcards of Korea and Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we are often drawn to the differences of not only the subjects but also their colorization.

Postcards of Japan were often of the ports, palaces, teahouses, geishas and temples. Many of these images were taken by early Western residents and great care was taken to colorize them. They were colorful, exuding exoticism, and were carefully chosen to appeal to their potential Western purchasers.

On the other hand, Korean postcards tended to be black and white ― almost gritty in nature ― and were generally manufactured by Japanese photographers. Perhaps the most important in Korea was Hinode Shoko.

Korean thatch roof home during the early 1900s.

If the postcards were colored, it was usually done in a rather sloppy manner. Even the subject matter seemed to be of a drearier nature.

The Korean postcards sold quite well. At one point, Hinode Shoko “is reported to have sold 10,000 postcards daily,” an almost unbelievable number, and I am assuming (probably incorrectly) that most were sold to Japanese visitors.

Today we will look at images of country homes in both countries. Immediately we notice that the Japanese cards are all colorized and the homes appear neat and well maintained. They are portrayed in an artistic manner.

Thatching a Korean home during the early 1900s.

The Korean images are black and white and give the impression of inferiority. They are not taken from an artistic approach but more from an eyewitness' view ― the grittiness of rural life on the peninsula.

Later, according to Prof. Hyung Il Pai, these old images were recycled by Japanese authorities and placed next to newer images, “the juxtaposition of the before-and-after view … demonstrates how the Japanese authorities deployed visual tropes in order to emphasise [sic] that their annexation of Korea was responsible for bringing modern amenities to an old, decaying country.”

Korean thatch and tile roof homes during the early 1900s.

Japanese thatch roof home during the early 1900s.

Japanese thatch roof home during the early 1900s.

Japanese thatch roof home during the early 1900s.

Japanese thatch roof home during the early 1900s.