The Politicality of Modern Japan: Korea Editions’ Use of Korean Literature

Abstract

It is well known that the editor of Modern Japan (Modan Nippon), published by Bungei Shunju, was Ma Haesong, a native of the Korean peninsula. Although Modern Japan fell short of attaining the same level of popularity as Kōdansha’s King (Kingu), it reached a broader range of readers than the rival modern magazine New Youth (Shin seinen), associated with the important writers Edogawa Ranpo and Yokomizo Seishi. Indeed, Modern Japan cultivated a profile somewhere between that of King and New Youth. However, perhaps due to its middling status, the magazine has yet to be the subject of a comprehensive study in any of the fields of literary, cultural, or publishing studies. This paper looks specifically at two special extra editions of Modern Japan, called the Korea Editions, published in 1939 and 1940 respectively. These special editions contained a hybrid of both state propagandistic elements and editor Ma Haesong’s perspective on his homeland. Although there is some extant research on the Korea Editions from several points of view, there is still room for a detailed analysis of how exactly Korean writers and literary works were introduced in their pages, and what type of literature was included. Specifically, this paper examines the literary criticism of Kim Saryang and Han Sik, clarifying their differing appraisals of the contemporary literary situation. Then, it analyzes the style and content of Pak T’aewŏn’s short story, “A Street Darkly” (Michi ha kuraki wo). Through highlighting this combination of perspectives, I hope to illuminate the politicality of Modern Japan realized through a rereading of the Korea Editions.