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| A group of men play the "frivolous" game of janggi in the late 19th century. Stewart Culin, "Korean Games, with Notes on the Corresponding Games of China and Japan" (1895) |
By Robert Neff
In the late 19th century, chess was popular with Westerners in the open ports of China, Japan and Korea. Many of these Westerners prided themselves with their prowess on the chessboard, and some of the regional English-language newspapers in Japan even published accounts of the tournaments and games.
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| Janggi was apparently not only for "young persons and rustics." Stewart Culin, "Korean Games, with Notes on the Corresponding Games of China and Japan" (1895) |
"We have had a nice run from Yokohama and so little seasickness in my family that I have had leisure to win a chess tournament against one Dutchman, one Russian, two Germans and four Spanish priests from Manila. America forever!"
Korean chess (janggi) also caught the interest of Westerners. William Henry Wilkinson (1858-1930) the British Acting Consul in Seoul in the 1890s, declared:
"Chess in [Korea] is regarded, in spite of its unusual diffusion, as a somewhat frivolous pastime, suitable for young persons and rustics. The educated Korean, deeply imbued as he is with Chinese sympathies, affects to prefer [baduk], though it is open to considerable doubt whether he would not, as a matter of actual fact, rather play at chess."
Apparently, policemen were not above playing and wagering (despite it being illegal) on frivolous games as evidenced by this article that appeared in The Independent (a Korean-English language newspaper printed in Seoul) on Nov. 13, 1897:
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| Punishment in Joseon in the late 19th century Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection |
"Two policemen named Kim Duk-ju and Ye Suk-won became so weary of the long hours of their patrol duty last Wednesday afternoon that they agreed to enter the house of their mutual friend on the beat and spend the remaining hours of the day in playing a game of chess for a small stake. The game commenced before several onlookers who took as much interest in it as the contestants. During the game Kim made a move which proved to be disastrous to his 'Queen,' and he asked his opponent to allow him to take back the move but Ye would not listen to it. Any amount of coaxing and entreaty did not change the obduracy of Ye. Kim became angry and struck his opponent's face with his fist and called him names which are not usually applied to friends. Ye retaliated the blow and insult by smashing the chessboard on the head of the aggressor. The onlookers pitched into the fight and general confusion ensued. The windows and furniture were reduced to fragments and tobacco pipes and wine cups flew about like missiles. The owner of the house attempted to pacify the crowd but he only received blows from all sides. He ran to the nearest police station and solicited help. Two policemen went to the scene and arrested their comrades in disgrace and chased away the overenthusiastic onlookers. The little game of chess cost the two policemen dearly as both have been dismissed from the force."
Perhaps after being educated with a sound beating (administered by their former colleagues) Kim and Ye took up the more civilized game of baduk.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and I would like to thank Diane Nars for the invaluable assistance she has so kindly provided me over the past year.
Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books including, Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
