Tongshinsa Walk Event Ends in Tokyo

Four hundred years ago, in 1607, Korea’s Joseon Dynasty dispatched its first Tongshinsa, a group of cultural envoys, to Japan.

An event named “21st Century Joseon Tongshinsa Seoul-Tokyo Walk” held to recollect the importance of friendly Korea-Japan ties began when a group of 32 Japanese people and 11 Koreans (including Japanese-Koreans) departed Seoul on April 1.

Retracing the route of Joseon Tongshinsa, the group arrived at Busan on April 20 via Yongin, Chungju, Mungyeong, Yecheon, Andong, and Ulsan.

In Japan, the participants walked through Tsushima Island, Fukuoka, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Shizuoka and Kawasaki and arrived at Edo (Tokyo’s old name), their final destination, 46 days after they departed Seoul.

A total of 40 people completed the entire route up to the plaza in front of the king’s palace in Edo, but about 250 people, including those who walked only sections of the route, participated in the event to recollect the experience of the Tongshinsa.

The group was welcomed and encouraged by people in Korea and Japan at places they passed on the route.

Minako Omura (60, female), a participant who lives in Fukuoka, said, “I went to see a doctor when my foot was injured in Andong. The doctor treated me for free when I told him I was participating in the Tongshinsa event. I was able to feel the warm heart of Koreans.”

Although transportation has come a long way since 400 hundred years ago, the 2,700-ri route was long and tough for the group of people whose average age was 65.

However, the participants all agreed that it was an invaluable experience.

The Korea Athletic Promotion Association Seoul Branch Governor Han Nam-soo said, “There is nothing to add. In a word, I am proud of them.”

Korean-Japanese participant Kang Jeong-choon (57, female), who interpreted for Korean and Japanese participants, said, “I was surprised to see that the Japanese have preserved and studied the remains of Joseon Tongshinsa so well. I want to do what I can to spread the historical meaning of Joseon Tongshinsa in Japan.”

The event was co-hosted by the Korea Athletic Promotion Association and the Japan Walking Association and co-sponsored by Dong-A Ilbo and Asahi Shimbun.

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