History Matters

Empire in the Everyday

The everyday concerns of two Korean farmers are a microcosm of the huge changes their country underwent in the early 20th century.

Holly Stephens | Published in Volume 73 Issue 5 May 2023

a woman raises silkworms, Korea, early 20th century. Japanese postcard produced to showcase the changes to agriculture under colonial rule. National Folk Museum of Korea
A woman raises silkworms, Korea, early 20th century. Japanese postcard produced to showcase the changes to agriculture under colonial rule. National Folk Museum of Korea

In 1919, the Korean gentleman farmer Yu Yŏnghŭi (1890-1960) wrote in his diary: 

Fourth month, eighth day. Sunny. As yesterday. Yesterday morning I went to the township office. I got two sheets of white hybrid silkworm eggs and returned.

In 1925, Chŏng Kwanhae (1873-1949) recorded a similar, typical day in his life:

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