Photo/Illutration Director Yoshihiko Hinata explains the celadon and white porcelain pieces by Ji Sun-tak, which were donated by Ha Jung-woong, at the Asakawa Noritaka and Takumi Kyodai Shiryokan museum in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, in July. (Jun Sato)

KAWAGUCHI, Saitama Prefecture--An ethnic Korean art collector here has dedicated a monument to commemorate Japanese brothers who fell in love with Korean culture during the nation’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Ha Jung-woong learned about Noritaka and Takumi Asakawa when he was a high school student and has studied their way of life with residents of Yamanashi Prefecture, where the brothers were born, for more than two decades.

“The brothers lived valuable lives as humans,” the 81-year-old businessman said. “I have learned a lot from the way they lived.”

Noritaka researched the history of Korean porcelain in the Korean Peninsula, Japan’s colony between 1910 and 1945. He conducted a survey on some 700 kiln remains, partly with help from Ji Sun-tak, who later became known as a master potter in South Korea.

Takumi, his younger brother, studied Korean crafts. He helped increase the greenery in fields and mountains, winning the admiration of locals. In his diary, Takumi criticized Japanese people who discriminate against Koreans.

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The monument dedicated by Ha Jung-woong is engraved with the faces of Noritaka Asakawa on the right and his younger brother Takumi on the left. (Jun Sato)

The monument, engraved with the faces of the brothers, stands in front of the Asakawa Noritaka Takumi Kyodai Shiryokan museum in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Built with stones from both countries, the memorial measures 1.6 meters high, 1.1 meters wide and 76 centimeters deep.

Ha said he has finally realized his long-cherished dream of dedicating a decent monument in memory of the brothers.

“I won’t be alive a decade from now,” he said. “I think this is the time to do what I’ve always wanted to do.”

He added, “It has nothing to do with being ethnic Korean, Japanese or Korean.”

According to museum officials, Noritaka was born into a farming family in present-day Hokuto in 1884, while Takumi was born in 1891.

After working as a teacher, Noritaka went to the Korean Peninsula in 1913, followed by Takumi in the following year.

Noritaka returned to Japan after World War II and died in 1964. Takumi, who died of disease in 1931, was buried in Seoul.

Ha was a high school student when he read a passage that philosopher Yoshishige Abe wrote in tribute to Takumi. He became inspired by the younger brother for living a righteous and free life in a dignified manner.

About 25 years ago, Ha was introduced to a book about Takumi by an acquaintance and gained detailed knowledge about the brothers’ accomplishments and their birthplace.

When the museum opened in 2001, Ha donated about 80 pieces of artwork from his collection, including Ji’s exquisite celadon and white porcelain works.

“The museum is filled with Ha’s feelings,” said museum director Yoshihiko Hinata, who has long exchanges with him. “He wants the facility to be a bridgehead for spreading information to promote the friendship between Japan and South Korea.”

Hinata, 67, serves as director-general of a citizens group formed to research the brothers’ way of life.

The museum attracts several thousands of visitors a year. It houses Takumi’s diary, which was donated by a South Korean man who had received it from Noritaka.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Takumi’s birth and the 90th anniversary of his death.

The city of Hokuto plans to host an unveiling ceremony of the monument in November. The event, initially scheduled in June, was postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

City officials will also publish a manga comic to teach young people about the brothers’ lives in November.

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