Books with a Love of Korea

Chino Kaori, the representative Japanese art historian who died at 49 years old in December 31, 2001. When he was the professor of Gakushuin College, Tokyo, Japan, the Korean traditional knotwork was hanging in front of his office door. He loved the Korea and treasured a close relation with Korea.

7 months after he passed away. The close ties which he left, have touched Korean people. His bereaved and fellow professors donated 7,300 books in his possession to the National Museum of Korea. The National Museum of Korea opened these books to the public on July 31. The donated 7,300 books are all the books owned by Chino Kaori. There are books related to Japanese art history literature, Chinese art and Buddhist art.

His fellow professors gave the idea of the book donation. In the early months of the year, his fellow professors agreed to donate his books to the National Museum of Korea to pay a tribute to the memory of Chino Kaori who made endeavors for Korea-Japan Culture Exchange. A brother of Chino professor, Nakamura Koichi agreed happily.

His relation with Korea was very special. Chino Kaori had interests in the Korean culture, and frequently visited ‘Naum house’ of grandmothers who were the Korean comfort girls for Japanese military. The National Museum of Korea said “his good relation with Korea led the books donation even after he passed away. Her brother said, “I expect that Chino’s spirit is raised with these donated books together”

Chino was approved as a progressive scholar who was interested in the woman problem by introducing the gender concept in the Japanese art history research, as well as an authority of Japanese medieval art history. Chino graduated from the Department of Aesthetics and Art History, Tokyo University and completed the PhD in the art history department, Tokyo University. He worked as the professor of Gakushuin since 1989 after working as researcher of Tokyo National Museum. Then, He worked as a guest professor for Harvard University and Columbia University, USA.

The National Museum of Korea will keep the donated books making a section in the new National Museum of Korea located in Yongsan, Seoul which will be opened in 2005. The National Museum of Korea said “These donated books will be used as the basic materials for the Japanese art history research and exhibition of Japanese room of the new Yongsan Museum. The National Museum of Korea plans to award the deceased & her brother and Kobayashi Dadasi, the professor of Gakushuin College a prize to make efforts for books donation.

Kwawg-Pyo Lee kplee@donga.com