1 10 2 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/0c269637a5b39b9c19ed04efd2226784.jpg 8840b0a44fc97b536ffdb9546653ae79 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/c6d57c5818412e6728af500ccff8a9bb.jpg d6d057b7bbddfcdd0d5583017b708890 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/cd4c17a865137556f360736d73d6b23c.jpg 302c8e6002ee5df61f58c4ee5825f179 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/8f342e539796c4e78695515c9df10f3c.jpg b5122cd20af763d25061647b7ae63237 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Japanese WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rickshaw Driver Letters Subject The topic of the resource A series of letters written by a rickshaw driver in WWII Era Japan towards the end of the war discussing a Mr. Yasuda. Description An account of the resource Pg1 この安田一殿の、人情がたぶりある自々のペン先でも一日も早くしやいせきと、解決をつけてオ店へ 出勤をしたい、それに引き換え係長がありながらもいくちも休んでも尋ねには来ない人情がなさすぎ る 成りあがり者ほど下者を見下げて、したものをやたらに使う、すべての人は、いくら小生が、手紙を、 出しても車夫見下げて、返事をくれぬが安田一殿は偉い方 Mr. Yasuda has so much compassion in his writing, he quickly wants to solve this issue and head to the store to work. On the other hand, the chief has no compassion at all, despite his position he takes days off without permission. Those who have risen to power tend to look down on those below them and use their power excessively. Everyone, no matter how many letters I send, looks down on me as a porter and won't even bother to reply. But Mr. Yasuda is truly a great person. Pg2 昭和20年七月十七日（火）午前十時に着す小雪が時々降り。 この方に免じて小生は何事も我慢を、して御国と安田の為に御奉公をする者なる 七、七日八九十十一十二十三十四十五十六十七日を休日 この方はあくまでも身分を、見下げつ小生にありがたき返事をくれた、この人が、眞との人なり人情 あつき人である、それに引き換え永年の車夫、不用であるからいらぬともす人もある、人力車も今は 重大の、役割をはたす、とおときがすりんの代用を、はたす人力車夫なり July 17th, 1945 (Tuesday) 10 am, light snow was falling from time to time. For the sake of him, I endure everything and am a servant for the sake of the country and Yasuda. July, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th are days off. This person gave me a grateful response without looking down on my status. He is a truly kind-hearted person who values human relationships. On the other hand, there are those who may say they don't need the eternal rickshaw puller, but the rickshaw still plays a significant role today. Rickshaw puller doing the job of the long lost gasoline. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Purchased from Kaiser Bill's Military Emporium in Pomona, CA U.S.A. Translation provided by Yuske Tamura. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 17th, 1945 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/6478a0f8d3343f36dd748726767316e2.jpg aac92ad9186e19bcac3c6449af39727a https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/4258d10cfacf6bc3a941a68d3e9d88d8.jpg d8ea156d404e459771f4cc1ef10a5696 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Japanese WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Postcard by Steamer Mail Subject The topic of the resource This is a formal business communication likely tied to shipping or travel between Japan and Japanese Colonial Korea (noted in the printed schedule). The sender, likely someone named 信宣 (Nobunori), is replying to Mr. Tanabe confirming receipt of instructions, acknowledging understanding, and indicating that further communication will be given in person when the ship departs and arrives. The tone is very respectful, using older formal Japanese, common in Meiji-Taisho period business or official correspondence. Written in September 1940 it is unclear how exactly these two men were involved in Japan's colonial occupation in Korea. This could be military or related to a commercial business enterprise. Over five million Koreans were conscripted for labour beginning in 1939, and tens of thousands of men were forced into Japan's military. Nearly 400,000 Korean labourers died. Approximately 200,000 girls and women, mostly from China and Korea, were forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military. Traditional Korean culture suffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artefacts were destroyed or taken to Japan. To this day, valuable Korean artefacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collections. One investigation by the South Korean government identified 75,311 cultural assets that were taken from Korea, 34,369 in Japan and 17,803 in the United States. However, experts estimate that over 100,000 artefacts actually remain in Japan. There is also the possibility that one or both of the correspondents is actually Korean since during the Japanese annexation, the Korean language was suppressed in an effort to eradicate Korean national identity. Koreans were forced to take Japanese surnames, known as Sōshi-kaimei. However, it is also possible that one or both of the correspondents are Japanese colonial settlers. There was significant emigration to the overseas territories of the Empire of Japan during the Japanese occupation period, including Korea. By the end of World War II, there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea. After World War II, most of these overseas Japanese repatriated to Japan. Migrants who remained squatted in informal settlements. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 4, 1940 Description An account of the resource Front of Postcard: Image Description (Bottom text under the ship): Japanese (vertical, right to left): 關釜連絡汽船 関釜連絡汽船 (Kankō Renraku Kisen) → Kanpu Ferry Line 船名: 景福丸・九州丸・廣徳丸・八幡丸 → Ship names: Keifuku-maru, Kyūshū-maru, Kōtoku-maru, Yahata-maru 速度: 20ノット (knots) → Speed: 20 knots 所要時間: 約六時間二十分 → Required time: Approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes Handwritten & Stamped Text (Right-hand side): 関釜 (Kampu) – Shimonoseki–Busan route 鈴木 (Suzuki) 黒田 (Kuroda) 桑野 (Kuwano) 桑井 (Kuwai) 吉田 (Yoshida) 豊田 (Toyoda) 天保 (Tenpō) The stamps are Japanese "Chop Marks" from officials likely involved in processing, delivering, or screening the letter. Back of Postcard: きかは便郵 (Kikaha binyuu): "Postcard by steamer mail" (likely referring to a shipboard or naval mail service). Recipient (Right side, written vertically): This is the recipient's address and name, written in traditional Japanese order (right to left, top to bottom): 三重縣 津市 (Mie-ken Tsu-shi) – Tsu City, Mie Prefecture 西橋詰通 (Nishihashizume-dōri) – Nishihashizume Street 津協同会社 (Tsu Kyōdō Kaisha) – Tsu Cooperative Company 田辺康兵様 (Tanabe Kōhei-sama) – Mr. Tanabe Kōhei This tells us that the postcard was intended for a man named Kōhei Tanabe, working or residing at the Tsu Cooperative Company in Mie Prefecture. Bottom Chart: This table details shipping schedules between Kanmon (Shimonoseki) and Pusan (Busan): Departure from Shimonoseki Arrival at Pusan 10:30 AM and 11:00 PM 6:30 PM and 8:10 AM next day Departure from Pusan Arrival at Shimonoseki 10:40 AM and 9:30 PM 6:30 PM and 7:00 AM next day 拝復 貴信之通り 了解致候 尤も當方出發之節 汽船着之節に於て 口頭申上候 先便申上度候 甚而不一筆申上候 下関信宣 Respectful reply, In accordance with your esteemed message, I fully understand. At the time of our departure, and upon the ship’s arrival, I will report to you verbally. I wished to inform you sooner, but was unable to write until now. With regards from Shimonoseki, — Nobunori (信宣) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Purchased from Don Kochi and part of the Tom Long collection. Translation provided by Yuske Tamura and ChatGPT. Additional information taken from Wikipedia.