I read this with great interest. What especially fascinated me was the perspective on how the Jesuits viewed Hideyoshi.
I serve as a Shinto priest in Osaka. The shrine where I work was revered by Hideyoshi, who designated it as a protector against the northeast “demon gate” of Osaka Castle. That connection was what first drew me to your post, but once I began reading, I found it so interesting that I read all the way to the end in one sitting.
On a lighter note, my daughter is also very fond of Korean idols, and I myself love the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. We even enjoy using Korean cosmetics together.
Thank you for your message. Interesting to hear about the connection between your shrine and Hideyoshi. And I hadn't realised about the popularity of Korean cosmetics - thanks for mentioning that!
Thank you so much for such an interesting read, as always. I had no idea Hideyoshi even had his eyes set on the Philippines… This only adds to the many delusions and antics he exhibited after uniting Japan (especially after "fathering" Hideyori), as he really did seem to have gone completely bonkers — something not uncommon, if history teaches us anything, for people who suddenly find themselves with absolute power.
I wanted to write because I visited South Korea a few weeks ago for the first time while working on a cruise ship for a two-week "cherry blossom tour" of Japan. It was essentially a visa run for the ship, as foreign-flagged passenger vessels (apparently) cannot stay in Japanese waters for more than one consecutive week. Busan was part of the itinerary, of course, but I think it was chosen simply because of its proximity to Japan.
Anyway, for the guests, the day in Korea was a complete break from the Japan theme — perhaps intentionally, for the reasons you mentioned in your article — so they visited the hip and arty Gamcheon Culture Village (sold as "the Santorini of South Korea"), lunch at a local market, and a visit to an observation tower. Such a fun day — how could that go wrong?
I, being a Japanese student of history, and since I had a day off in Korea, I took the opportunity to explore Busan’s historical significance in the relationship between the two countries. As you know, Busan was where Japanese forces first established a beachhead during the Imjin War. And with that in mind, I visited the Joseon Tongsinsa History Museum, built on the site where the Korean goodwill missions’ envoys prayed for a safe voyage before crossing the Tsushima Strait to Japan. The narrative of the museum offered such an uplifting story of rapprochement and diplomatic triumph of Ieyasu after Hideyoshi’s death and the end of the war. FYI, numerous documents on Joseon Tongsinsa (or Chōsen Tsūshinshi in Japanese) in both countries are registered as a Memory of the World by UNESCO.
While the Tongsinsa Museum was roughly the size of a slightly large house, the contrast could not have been clearer with the nearby National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation, which is a huge and daunting modernist building with ample bus parking spaces (primarily for school trips, I presume). I was struck not only by the obvious difference in tone, but more so by its scale. It's also worth noting that documents relating to forced mobilisation, on the other hand, are NOT registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World, despite repeated attempts by the Korean government due to fierce opposition from its Japanese counterpart.
The juxtaposition of these two museums made for a thought-provoking reflection on how history is remembered and presented on both sides of the strait, and I found myself thinking about it again after reading your article!
Sorry — I’ve definitely written far more than I probably should have here, but there was no word limit, so I took the liberty of babbling on. Apologies, but you know me, sensei! ;)
Yoshi, hi! And apologies for my very late reply here. Under pressure with finishing a book. Your job sounds great! And I’d love to visit this museum. I’ve never even been to Korea, which is embarrassing... Hopefully I can put that right ASAP. Thanks again for sharing.
The Sengokujidai warlords and then Shoguns seem to all have been complete bastards with a side dish of WTF. Thanks for teaching me about both sides of Hideyoshi
I've taken note of Ive and Le Sserafim to see if I can impress my children with knowledge of their music!
Hideyoshi’s tale is fascinating, especially taken in the context of history and Japan's relationship with Korea and China in the early 20th century. The hubris he demonstrated, as in in your description of his enjoyment lording it over foreign leaders and belief he'd was sent by the lord of Heaven, is reminiscent of a number of despots over the centuries.
Looking in now from the cross cultural exchange between Japan and Korea, I think we should be thankful for manga and pop music to serve as a common interest to unite the countries in the modern era.
I hope the K-pop works with your children! Some of those songs have a habit of getting in my head and refusing to leave. IVE's 'I am' is probably the worst offender...!
I totally agree about these cross-cultural exchanges. Music and manga really strike deep with children, going by own kids' experience. A reason to hope...!
Another great article Chris. I'm getting a sense that a current world leader maybe channelling some of Hideyoshi's self importance. Now who could that be...
That was exactly the sense I had Steve. Not least in the charlatan viewpoint of Christianity as a means to an end, whether or not any actual experts in faith agree!
Great article as always Chris .. I’m following the NHK Taiga Drama on Toyotomi brothers, as well as the Rest is History Samurai series - and as Le Sserafim tell us - “Eat it up, eat it, еat it up”
Thanks Richard! That Le Sserafim quote made me laugh. Reminds me of many happy hours in the car with my girls, forcing myself not to comment on the lyrics to their songs...
I read this with great interest. What especially fascinated me was the perspective on how the Jesuits viewed Hideyoshi.
I serve as a Shinto priest in Osaka. The shrine where I work was revered by Hideyoshi, who designated it as a protector against the northeast “demon gate” of Osaka Castle. That connection was what first drew me to your post, but once I began reading, I found it so interesting that I read all the way to the end in one sitting.
On a lighter note, my daughter is also very fond of Korean idols, and I myself love the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. We even enjoy using Korean cosmetics together.
Thank you for your message. Interesting to hear about the connection between your shrine and Hideyoshi. And I hadn't realised about the popularity of Korean cosmetics - thanks for mentioning that!
Hi Chris-sensei!
Thank you so much for such an interesting read, as always. I had no idea Hideyoshi even had his eyes set on the Philippines… This only adds to the many delusions and antics he exhibited after uniting Japan (especially after "fathering" Hideyori), as he really did seem to have gone completely bonkers — something not uncommon, if history teaches us anything, for people who suddenly find themselves with absolute power.
I wanted to write because I visited South Korea a few weeks ago for the first time while working on a cruise ship for a two-week "cherry blossom tour" of Japan. It was essentially a visa run for the ship, as foreign-flagged passenger vessels (apparently) cannot stay in Japanese waters for more than one consecutive week. Busan was part of the itinerary, of course, but I think it was chosen simply because of its proximity to Japan.
Anyway, for the guests, the day in Korea was a complete break from the Japan theme — perhaps intentionally, for the reasons you mentioned in your article — so they visited the hip and arty Gamcheon Culture Village (sold as "the Santorini of South Korea"), lunch at a local market, and a visit to an observation tower. Such a fun day — how could that go wrong?
I, being a Japanese student of history, and since I had a day off in Korea, I took the opportunity to explore Busan’s historical significance in the relationship between the two countries. As you know, Busan was where Japanese forces first established a beachhead during the Imjin War. And with that in mind, I visited the Joseon Tongsinsa History Museum, built on the site where the Korean goodwill missions’ envoys prayed for a safe voyage before crossing the Tsushima Strait to Japan. The narrative of the museum offered such an uplifting story of rapprochement and diplomatic triumph of Ieyasu after Hideyoshi’s death and the end of the war. FYI, numerous documents on Joseon Tongsinsa (or Chōsen Tsūshinshi in Japanese) in both countries are registered as a Memory of the World by UNESCO.
While the Tongsinsa Museum was roughly the size of a slightly large house, the contrast could not have been clearer with the nearby National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation, which is a huge and daunting modernist building with ample bus parking spaces (primarily for school trips, I presume). I was struck not only by the obvious difference in tone, but more so by its scale. It's also worth noting that documents relating to forced mobilisation, on the other hand, are NOT registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World, despite repeated attempts by the Korean government due to fierce opposition from its Japanese counterpart.
The juxtaposition of these two museums made for a thought-provoking reflection on how history is remembered and presented on both sides of the strait, and I found myself thinking about it again after reading your article!
Sorry — I’ve definitely written far more than I probably should have here, but there was no word limit, so I took the liberty of babbling on. Apologies, but you know me, sensei! ;)
Yoshi, hi! And apologies for my very late reply here. Under pressure with finishing a book. Your job sounds great! And I’d love to visit this museum. I’ve never even been to Korea, which is embarrassing... Hopefully I can put that right ASAP. Thanks again for sharing.
The Sengokujidai warlords and then Shoguns seem to all have been complete bastards with a side dish of WTF. Thanks for teaching me about both sides of Hideyoshi
Nicely put! I imagine some of those warlords would have revelled in that reputation…
I've taken note of Ive and Le Sserafim to see if I can impress my children with knowledge of their music!
Hideyoshi’s tale is fascinating, especially taken in the context of history and Japan's relationship with Korea and China in the early 20th century. The hubris he demonstrated, as in in your description of his enjoyment lording it over foreign leaders and belief he'd was sent by the lord of Heaven, is reminiscent of a number of despots over the centuries.
Looking in now from the cross cultural exchange between Japan and Korea, I think we should be thankful for manga and pop music to serve as a common interest to unite the countries in the modern era.
I hope the K-pop works with your children! Some of those songs have a habit of getting in my head and refusing to leave. IVE's 'I am' is probably the worst offender...!
I totally agree about these cross-cultural exchanges. Music and manga really strike deep with children, going by own kids' experience. A reason to hope...!
Another great article Chris. I'm getting a sense that a current world leader maybe channelling some of Hideyoshi's self importance. Now who could that be...
That was exactly the sense I had Steve. Not least in the charlatan viewpoint of Christianity as a means to an end, whether or not any actual experts in faith agree!
Hi Steve - yes indeed, who could you possibly have in mind...? 😁😂
Great article as always Chris .. I’m following the NHK Taiga Drama on Toyotomi brothers, as well as the Rest is History Samurai series - and as Le Sserafim tell us - “Eat it up, eat it, еat it up”
Thanks Richard! That Le Sserafim quote made me laugh. Reminds me of many happy hours in the car with my girls, forcing myself not to comment on the lyrics to their songs...