Editorial staff (hereafter, ''Ed.'') :
First of all, congratulations for winning the best award in Dubai 2006.
We recognize that this was the first time for you to have exhibited the
Korean Postal History.
Our first question is ''How were you interested in this theme?''.
Dr. Inoue (hereafter, ''Inoue''):
As I was collecting the Koban stamps, I had interest in the cancellations
of Japanese p.os. in Korea while I was still in high school. But the big
trigger for me was the publication of the ''Korean Postal History 1884-1905''
by the late Meiso Mizuhara, former President of JPS. When he started to
write this book, he inserted an ad of ''Data Wanted'' in our monthly magazine
''Yushu''. I was still a university student, but I sent to Mr. Mizuhara
as many reports and copies of materials as possible. (fig. 1)
The answer from Mr. Mizuhara was an astonishing one. ''Please compile the
part of cancellations of Japanese p.os to help me!''
I could not resist his request and managed to write a draft with the help of many colleagues. After checked by Mr. Mizuhara, it became the chapter of Postmarks of Japanese P.Os. in his volume. When this book was published, Mr. Mizuhara was already seriously sick and was hospitalized. He wrote words of dedication for me in his bed expressing his gratitude for me and his expectations for younger generations. (fig. 2) It was quite impressive for me.
Historical Facts spoken by Postal Matters
| Ed.: |
What are the interesting points of postal history? |
| Inoue: |
Japan was penetrating into Korea and trying to annex her in those days and we can observe the process through postal matters. For example, taking postal routes for example, when the ship lines were stopped in winter, Japan set up inland routes at its discretion. We can perceive the policies and actions of Japan through postal matters of the period.
Especially, from the view point of postal history, Korea is an interesting theme. There are significant rarities though not so many in number. Korea was also the stage of many historical events like Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, etc. There were also such events like Inauguration of Korean Post, reluctant Annexation by Japan, etc. Thus, we can build up a good collection of postal history. |
| Ed.: |
Did you have any particular points of special concern? |
| Inoue: |
As this is a collection of postal history, I paid special attention in
four points, namely, ''Route'', ''Rate'', ''Postmark'' and ''Postage Stamp''.
My special concern was route, which I never failed to mention it with as
many maps as possible, so that the viewers could understand the route easily
at a sight. |
| Ed.: |
We once heard from a certain viewer that your exhibit was an ''Anti-Mizuhara
collection''. What do you think about this comment? |
| Inoue: |
He might have meant that I was trying to overwhelm Mizuhara’s book as a
rival, and that without using any ex-Mizuhara materials. (laugh)
It was true that I read this book passionately and thoroughly. The history
of Korea written in this book is always in my mind and I was seeking materials
always conscious of descriptions in the Mizuhara book. I was thinking this
volume was a textbook and a rival for me, and was dreaming to make a collection
overwhelming it some day. It would be a return to Mr. Mizuhara's favor,
I believed. |
Korean Postal History is my Life Work
| Ed. |
Tell us what you would to achieve achieve hereafter. |
| Inoue: |
For me, Koban is my daily main theme and ''Tin Can Mail'', etc. are sub-themes.
While the Korean Postal History will be defined my lifework.
The prize of this time is like a wind fall for me. I will continue steadily to improve my collection. First, I'll expand it to eight frames. And by continuing the studies from here on, I would like to publish a book like Mr. Mizuhara someday in future. |
[OUTLINE OF THE EXHIBIT]
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The postal history of early Korea cannot be told without referring to the
penetration of Japanese Post. In this exhibit of 80 leaves (= 5 frames),
I have complied the following items; Establishment of the first Japanese
p.o. in Pusan, Inauguration, interruption and re-opening of Korean Post,
Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars, Overprinted Chrysanthemum stamps
for use in Korea, Increase of Japanese p.os., Annexation of Japanese and
Korean Comminication Services (1905), Annexation of Korea (1910). |
|
[VICISSITUDE OF JAPANESE POST IN KOREA]
| 1876 |
Opening of the First J.P.O. in Pusan |
| 1880 |
Opening of J.P.O. in Wonsan |
| 1883 |
Opening of J.P.O. in Ninsen (Inchon) (Notification was made in 1885) |
| 1884 |
Inauguration of Korean Post, but lasted for only half a month interrupted
by Kapsin coup. |
| 1888 |
Unofficial opening of J.P.O. in Legation of Seoul (Notification was made in 1881) |
| 1894 |
Breakout of Sino-Japanese War. Korea became battlefield. |
| 1895 |
Re-Opening of Korean Post. Foreign post was monopolized by J.P.O. |
| 1900 |
Inauguration of Korean Foreign Post.
Issue of Overprinted Chrysanthemum Stamps for use in Korea
Increase of J.P.Os. in Korea |
| 1904 |
Breakout of Russo-Japanese War. Korea became battlefield. |
| 1905 |
Annexation of Japanese & Korean Communication Services |
| 1910 |
Annexation of Korea. Korea became a Japanese colony. |
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