The Queer People of Korea

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8959, 7 December 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Queer People of Korea

One of the latest studies of Korea k by a Frenchman. It k entitled "En Corw." ami the author id Eoute ISoafdare t- Tr.» ■ Korean# aft' » stranse peopte,_ r.ot r.rt> jmm the point oil view of our eivilkatinr.. bat tv«a fcoav that of their near bors. th? Japanese. and M- ItonrtUret «Sr- t ■eritnw with abundance- of detail their : 1 bits, anorak. and daily life- I Tfc»» first night a stranger poises i» St." t 1 is noio «f painful surprise. If he be fatigaed ami hopes for acttnl hours «t restful stsep us promptly diVtllasi*<::r *. | He is> kept awafca by a weird r.otw. cea *' | less unci prolonged. It continues. from 'i.-.; ' until diwr.. It opena with a tow ri(mi v . increasing in tottttw niilil it kwKr.es an internal 'gallop. This B|>w»r cornea fr«n the washing •>? efotEww. which k cartLd net Msctraivety at night. Knrsar.i arc t.«>! by it: nothing ever gets wj-'-r. their rrrvrs: tint tn> one uacettstnnvt;' • . it it » a fofmulitif-e tr.e nare tr. i,-'aE. The noise k catMed by the method employed to cleanse clothing. The garment k afx">at a eyti.i dricaf stone an"! pwunded with tw» civ whiru resemble. those carried by i men. * It;[y a s.-call t-|nartt(ty nt water is : but. tjv* [»rn'>-riS 3;:>! finish {"■•niti.vr t» Eir.- .i >ir r!>"t'Fnrty thort«.-»n-l »f tln-w st»r:i-» rn iv *>'• h,»mm»-tfc'4 in imUatt, Imt ti»" Kwan fU'<' t '3 nrt rsnitUtttrt:*-'!. Xnihtits: iwrtitpw Klf stepp. I?k nviy he wen slunifi'Titi; on thf trnnfc of stfnr.Vr trr> v in fttli f)f 3iirti;ht. mnr.th stpvt)ur>''"l t>y a motcitarit- of tli«'s. iiieotirtt'ly molioEtlci, anmrscioTip ni annoyn.nw. Th»* f>frh «( thf fnwpr ronsist ot ii> rn.vr, Bpi>a which thry stwp nuJt». f*«:n in winter, a fjrsiit for cmcrins. a stone nr Mn<:k o; wruvi f'rtr piflonr. t'<».nstrrvt in ia the retaii >|n.irtt:r of th*» town. ft rr rwrythins is sotft—v«o«xt for fn-'t. otrl etnthes, copper vcwli, t»-)t»Rs, sfwetaeffs. pap-'r napliins. fte. The trTi'fiant. irt ttw rear of shop, cj 3»-:itt-ii itt the [wf of BrKtfihn. stir rtirtn'kf! by hk witfj. hrs uwwu'nta of r»'isun> empfoyprf irt rcarltns a Korean ni'wsp.ipt'r. This h»' rpaii'? tvlonri for tf** nf iTtirt'rat*' rnstorr:* an+t ME^r,^. Tr.- ji7um.it rn-orrls rvf-n's—-tisratmns at th** rnvnrrt of rnrmtfrfrrt nict*-! importrft by .!»pm»-s«*. fibnitj «»l «f a Minfetpr by th- rnrmrm<;rm"nt th.it nne I'.ik has rh:inp , <l his name, it r,»> Innacr pfcn-itr.s htm: an nfficrai rr»-rf>- atcorttin? pdsthftrnocj honors t»> a person wh-> h;va b>>-n (I- a t a htrn'irvet yciirs. aircnrmts of brijandi!. These, atmeil with rtulw. sc»'nr! at ni;ht a viEt.i2»>: the inhabit, ants off it no ftsktarn", Bbandor.in; rvcryt™ tf.p rn;iirattrhTs. Stories nf bricanrLs have invtnrib!>* f.rs(•inattori f'ir K'-r.-.ir;.' Kvt-ry nicht {Futavptr.» acr tiCffl with r;ipfty ahmrbrrf in nattatioca of th.-ir ptmrrs. tntit by prof'ssionat racntttcttrs. In the cfocwstic etrufe chitfireti »»»» wpiM with F.rrrar.i stort'a which wti.l to. b<»<:l. tn arr;»k»-n at ntrht with shri'-fc* of 6--ar. To tin*! .i rfrintinsr fFio(> it is only r,''vf-?.!.iry to firwnr'i. At i v-"_v o"h;'f ?tt-'p wtH li.' .'.f-n :> pofr with a T .r: r . Tiv.v* bi'skrt attai"h?'il: fvn*-;i.fh it :■> ftut- TTi.k k th»' univrrs.it »i*n of thc.-o

Tb* inSrriop of oi rln'rJcrvi ->p U ?.>M h.vs arot' - f v -* aatrp trtt/f.i"- f-> r» f'u" of rh;U ,1 Kortvirr. Sot-* of lU TTxv af; 1 rondn--!-by in xvPir,-Pc an han.-sr ;vt»rT';.xrt r.m wifFioiiP. ta?ev r>f X»»tvri:u t;h' n.i;rfp;;>nof fFtv >■•>£ flcifirKi.?. irt th*> otd Wios that r"*''* (VHifM-J (!: pi-V. "Pi--* thxt S^nr maVv»->Vnt. (K'm, Cfv mortnUatfi'. rivvr? Cfi-TS arp nr;pi th^rrT. S'ii;rsn>-se is T.y : c?;.rr^-

| t'ore v I'Ttifbl:' sorrere-esc-* F 1 \*» * I vivxttf ifi Korea. Thev ac- tfi.< rrts»- of the eonntrv. If the Ktnprror mnlil sttjv. 1 prt-sa them. :»< weft ,1.1 -i. ni!tlrt'ri<f- of magi ciart<.. rot. 1 .irrS rr*' , K rea mould male r rrv';u strides sr. th«' r>.Vr:p of progress. At >■ *.vry »>f E^> > •t.iy or night tray l»» hpard in pvrry rjftarter df Seont fhe rn":fHnirf l "*' a .--'l:<>'r.v esoriristng irv a Fwti?f whpre the demon of F:n-. 'l'-'fi 'l. IF:; i.i v.-nm p'ii'" ■? F>y the forceful Fixating of tFi- tarn-tarn, fetinf-i'- *h.r,<-r». tnriwtw in prop-irti>n ii> tiv proffered fe*. Thr FiFind pretEirt t-F:e fatr:r v . TK- & rr'h r>£ ;>, sightless girt is sreeted with delight f>y ht»f parent*. That Infirmry trwr** to fcer a. proStaMe career and fnttiw sttr>port tn Fir.■r parents. fur sh» Ls certain to a !un-vt¥sg> or cfi-Mrt-'R". Th-se individuals h*>F<F *ru'Et power that tFi-y have established i-niMs: eh»" Mind forming one and t.Fw* nsfivf fakirs a. *ei-r>r:»l corporation, fiach ha.* .1. rT:r,'f, snf>je.-f. to control E>v th« fJtwrertwni. Th» v poor Kofesn cannot he horn. marry. he. erirc.! <"-f diseasenr doc without tf>- interposition of blaclvmairers. There. U r.«t ma«-h difficulty in marrying off a daughter in Korea. ther►* are defects. awi-Fv a» fwW.- fimttlr. jnnlvs'n. fteformit'wsi. «dc. an intffiiifilnry who knows how to conceal them is employ. •mE. It is her business. to mib- tfr>-* sir! presentable to tfw* parent? of tfi" stti'or. ,\s Cfw» briiFecroorn rf'.w not r<v tFif* F>ri'l<lintitE th« of tnarriap*. it 1.1 tn*> to rrcorF. h#* i> to tht» !»••«{ of thr sttß.'ttt'ori.

In marrying Kntriw scirt# are exempt from contribrittns t» tEi«™ support nf tlttr family. This »ppt»-» to the crardp 'i-vm.-aa wpfl p.* firimF't»-9t peasant. 1.-idus of ranis wh<> have f»n-nir<* impoveri'hrd and urt* oWiierf to sapimrt ttietnseEvi'ii n:ty earn » Ucrfth'Wfi W fcßtttir.c or r«.irin,c jitlfc womu. fni the country t of inerrmFien" on every xrornr*n. ho-.r-ever lofty her soci;»F Pt:>tr»i. SFie r.ir-'s for fruit trees, parttcrilarty t':e n.rilfierry. The ore profersion of I.vdies of whiefn they enjoy nFiwfnte ttir>n«v. potv is tF'-vt. of phvstetsn. The fowest rta?a of wromer. pre praeltrnFFy «trtc:\«t.<. from thi>< etnjn are rrrrtftteii the fem:if.» ff.ineers wfio oerrtpy sri-Ft a t»r.r'"* pi, ice in Korean life. Of tF'»se ti>- t.f,vn:rut are i»tt3rh*"«l to th-.* imperial cr»:irs. TTiey are divit'EefE into two on" to th»- Fmreait of imperial medr-i-f. :fw other to t.Fiie » of tti" intr-Ttnl corirt. The ki.vans are i!tri''tly rf.irrers of the* first, (to. They h.ive tW exejrwtv»> privifece of f»'rformin» at ronrt. Krte forHrb a fUn.-er of "F-o a■■ - r:rl or thir«f to remain se.at#vi in the* presence of a Fcissan.

TTf» fctsaaftii are trt pay nf fit- (in. vernment. In. lit inn to a fised s.-»t-»ry they have certatni pftitttisife.i vrrien tSi«'y ?i,n- or d>nc»* at th»> lm|>*ri.»t Pafare. As shey are aIE wor.»-ri of treat beauty from Sh»* Korean point of view h»g?t iometim«'3 mvrty them.

The marriage eerrmony in Korea U mn- [ OH'lt eor.cfttlore* that are praci finally "rets of (rndntanr**. On tht> 'by of his tnarria;e .» Kor>-an fw t(w riifts. if he can at'ofii it. tra 9A»r»n>* "he nwtttmc of ar.y official: of the Imperial Court. (Vq>|. ty he th-it of a Minister of S In this cvji««e. K>rre by six h.--irt r< in a highly d*-eoratrtl chitir. preceiini by tmi red purasob, the ctt»igtiia> of the otfi.-s.if he t» copying. h»* fcavrst hj» fa'Fier's fwv v and proceeds to that of th«* brirtir He tinrf.o her rea«ly t>> receive Eiinr. tier face «>tabor;iteFy pairted. h°r »>y«*Ea«ties Carome*! tenififarity Mindevi. that ,<hr rr.ay not set- htii features until nich:. When the bridegroom; enter* the bride's house h»> retires to a corner, where h<> rnafces oath fr» E»"> a pmd hrwfmnfl. If?

tfw"ti approaches tbt* brifte. wbf>. bcins by an attendant. Th- ' rt'i" 'trxl brirlraroorn art* no* Kwsnrt together with lor.g Wne- ami wrl strings by a woman. r»« sorceress anrt part jwrrant. Wins- r.t' atvip b tastal by tfw couple in tarn. TPwn follows. » grofeacjiw scrntv It# intention »to test tfc»* (Pi»tr»-sf.r.«» of tbi»_ btide. Trv yotms man way tartsth. bat thi» i» strictly forhicMen to the gift. 1/ she snccrtmhs to tf»» temptation tn tansth tbr roarriasp is then and triors anitaEM. Tru* bri.'lf baring safely (nurd throosh thL» ortieal. ahc ia now tested for capacity to remain silent. TT&> yettmr man Erin* every duvke to I rmfce- fii-r speafc. If nmticiT«sfal cries .nit that he wift rmt marry a dtimb wnman. T'onaKy (!•«• cirf t» proo! against tbe tempfafton. b\« if she- ts rwcctfcl arjl retort that is latScwnt to atmal the marmgt>. That happens when tho girl is oppc*ed to marryio:; the mao. St«s adopts

that method of escape. Gencratlv the bride x-i-s to live with Iter husbands parents, wlicre ahe the slave of the mother-in-law; the Korean species being considered the must terrible of the whole world.

M- Ikntrdarc; has a good deal to _sav i:i rrsard to the alimentation of the Korean, wlio k gluttonous ln'yond twiicf. Even in high society it k considered an honor to the host to rat and drink to Mtras. Urnnkennesa k not considered a reproach. Hap encounters every day in the str.y.s individuals staggering from intoxication or sleeping oS a debauch in the gutter. The rookery in the restaurants and among tlio poorer claAaos is antipathetic to the Kiiropean, particularly on account of the way in which food k prepared. On the other hand, among the higher classes meals are scrupulously clean and artktically prepared. with an abundance of condiments and aaticrs. TTic European misses butter and bread, lor which rice k substituted.

In fimilics of wealth l«vf, game, fowl and tkii are swrv<d daily. The lower classes cat of dog llrsh, but only in summer. Tiie sistronomic ovent of tlic year i-s tlw pro pi ration in Xoveml»r and necemher of kim-tchi, the national dish. It k an ,->,;iais;.-.ni of cabbage, turnips, cut fine, and put in large vasts with pepper, •ic.tor.s, pnrlic. ginger, and sometimes pears, i uutSure is nilowed to stand during tlu- entire reason, the essence of two ktiuls of tkh fieing added occasional Iv. 'Hik con- k analogous to our pickles, but it has a power that would make our amateurs of piektesi recoil with horror if they were obliged to cat one-twentieth part of what a Korean consumes with eager relish.

I!ecf k eaten cut in small pieces, sometimes envc'.otxd in an omelet, ns arc tripe and fish. Soup k made with beef, dog, pig ?nd mutton. The last is very rare; it comes from China and k only seen on the tables of the rich, liref k rmv'trd on a heated iron plague, hasted with spiced sauce and ginger. In general, the Korean streps his meats in strong sauces which to the European have the moat revolting odor. Dogs are eaten. As an excuse for kilting them for this par|wvS{" the Koreans say that after thev nr.. three years otd they become too intelligent and see spirits entering tin; hotrse. I.ike most Orirnial- the Koreans are extremety cruel in their manner of killins animals for ioo.'l- (lame is most abundant in Korea. It k killed in ticcatromltt. Even in restaurants, where clients are obliged to adapt their ap|»?tite to the tensth of the purse, the Korean cats voraciously. lie does not consume food to satisfy hunger, but simply lo fill himself. Vrotn infancy they are trained in tlw" school of voracity. Native drinks are rice wine and sout." The last kof a mingled flavor of smoke, atrohot and Lamp oil. After all, taste in drink k a mere matter of habit, for when a Korean imbibes for the first time European wires and liquors they are as offensive to htm as soul is to the Occidental. Koreans also concoct honey and orangeades.