근대 한일관계와 개항지 부산

Opening of Pusan port and modern Japan-Korea relations

본고의 목적은 근대 한일관계에서 개항지 부산에서의 일본거류민 사회의 형성과 자생종교의 역할에 대해 분석하는 것이다. 개항기 부산의 일본 거류민 사회의 형성은 일본인 종교 활동과 관계가 깊다. 역사적으로 19세기 천리교(天理教), 금광교(金光教)와 같은 일본의 자생종교는 일본인의 해외 이주가 시작되면서 해외 포교활동을 시작하게 되었다. 일본 자생종교의 해외 진출은 일본인 이민사회 성립을 전제로 일본인을 대상으로 하는 포교활동이 중심이었고, 이후 점차 이민사회를 넘어 현지인에게 확산되어 현지의 조직 기반을 확립하게 되었다. 일본정부의 지지를 받지 못했지만, 자생종교의 활동은 민중의 정신세계에 대한 지배를 강압적으로 추진하였던 일본 제국주의의 식민지 지배체제 속에서 지배계층과는 다른, 그들 자신의 전통적 가치의식과 행동양식을 고수하고 보편주의적 신앙운동으로 승화시켜 갔다는 것은 결코 간과할 수 없는 역사적 의미를 가지고 있다고 할 수 있다.

Japan-Korea cultural exchange and cooperation was developed in many areas. In particular, Pusan played role of cultural gate from continent to Kyushu Island. In spite of Japan-Korea cultural exchange, there is lack of research under life of Japanese residents by that time. Aim of this essay is research under modern Japan-Korea relations regarding to opening of Pusan port and to investigate and analyze formation of Japanese residents community and its strong connection with religious activity. In 19th century Tenri and Konkokyo sects, indigenous Japanese sect, was brought by Japanese immigrants to Korea and propagated. Immigration of indigenous sects is reason why Japanese immigrants’ community was established, teaching activities was in great concern of Japanese people. Through teaching, knowledge was gradually spreading among Koreans and it was basis to establish some organizations. Even thought those indigenous sects activity was not supported by Japanese government, in the colonial system of Japanese imperialism rule, control of peoples spiritual life was promoted. To protect Koreans traditional values consciousness and style of life, different from ruling class, forced sublimation to universal belief movement cannot be overlooked, and it has historical meaning. In fact, from modern Japan-Korea cultural exchange ethnical conflict of dominating vs. dominated can be assumed, but it was not time of mutual exclusion nationalism. Co-existence and cooperation of people oriented to universalism can be recalled.