The Calligrapher's Daughter (55 page)
(CHA-JAHNG-myun). A noodle dish with sweet black bean sauce (jajang), typically purchased from a street vendor.
(CHAHNG-een-uh-run). Father-in-law, as used by a man. A woman would refer to her father-in-law as
Ssi-abbuh-nim
.
(CHAHNG-moh-neem). Mother-in-law, as used by a male. Includes the honorific suffix -
nim
. A woman would refer to her mother-in-law as
Ssi-umma-nim
.
(CHON). Korean monetary unit, both coin and currency, used during the occupation. One
won
equaled 100 jeon. One Japanese
sen
was equivalent to one Korean jeon.
Sen
and
jeon
are different pronunciations of the same Chinese character.
(KAH-bo reforms). Six hundred reform laws passed by King Gojong in 1894–95. Also called the 1895 Reforms.
(LEE). Chinese measure of distance equal to five hundred meters.
(mahn-SEH). Literally, “ten thousand” in Chinese. The Korean language uses Chinese for days/dates and counting money. It is the slogan cry for “Long Live Korea!” originating from the March 1, 1919 national demonstration for independence.
(MAY-EE-jee). Reign/era name of the period when the 122nd emperor of Japan, Mutsuhito, was in power, 1868–1912.
(MOHK-sah). Minister, reverend. With the honorific suffix,
Moksa-nim
(mohk-sah-NEEM).
(MOO-dahng). Female shaman who acts as intercessor between humans and the spirit world.
(NOO-nah). Sister. How a male sibling addresses his older sister (versus
unnee
, used by female siblings).
(OHL-geh). Sister-in-law. How a female addresses her younger sister-in-law; versus
hyung-nim
, how a female addresses her older sister-in-law.
(OH-mah-nah). Exclamation of surprise or alarm.
(OHN-dohl). Literally, “warm stone.” A type of granite and concrete flooring interlaced with flues for heating.
(OHP-bah). Brother. How a female sibling addresses her older brother (versus
hyung
, how a male addresses his older brother). With the honorific,
oppa-nim
. Revised romanization:
obba.
(SAHM-eel). March First, a Korean holiday commemorating the national independence movement’s demonstration on that day in 1919.
(SHOW-ah). Reign/era name of the period when the 124th emperor of Japan, Hirohito, was in power, 1926–89.
(SEE-joh). Classic Korean form of poetry consisting of three lines, each with fourteen to sixteen syllables, with the middle line the longest. The first line presents the theme or idea, the second line develops, challenges or counters it, and the third line resolves the poem, sometimes with a surprise ending.
(SOH-lahl). New Year’s Day.
(SHEE-ah-buh-neem). Father-in-law, as used by a female, with the honorific suffix -
nim
. (A man would call his father-in-law
Jangin-eorun.)
Revised romanization:
ssi-abeonim.
(SHEE-uh-muh-neem). Mother-in-law, as used by a woman, with the honorific suffix -
nim
. (A man would call his mother-in-law
Jangmonim.)
Revised romanization:
ssi-eomeonim.
(sun-sayng-NEEM). Teacher, with the honorific suffix -
nim.
(TEH-guk-EE). Korean flag. Designed by Bak Yeong-hyo, the Korean ambassador to Japan, and proclaimed by King Gojong to be the official flag of Korea on March 6, 1883.
Taegeuk
refers to the red and blue symbol in the center, which represents the origin of all things in the universe.
(Tah-EE-show). Reign/era name of the period when the 123rd Emperor of Japan, Yoshihito, was in power, 1912–26.
(uh-muh-NEEM). Mother, with the honorific suffix -
nim.
Revised romanization:
eomeonim.
(UN-nee). Sister. How a female sibling addresses her older sister (versus
nuna
, used by males). Revised romanization:
eonni.
(WON). Unit of Korean currency issued by the Bank of Joseon during the occupation. Its value was equal to the Japanese yen.
Won
and
yen
are different pronunciations of the same Chinese character.
(YAH). Familiar and casual form of address similar to “hey.” Also an expressive sound like “ah” or “oh.”
(YAHNG-bahn). Aristocratic class, or an aristocrat, through heredity.
(yuh-boh). Familiar way of saying “hey you.” Also a term of endearment when used between spouses. Revised romanization:
yeobo.
In addition to my parents’ papers, numerous resources helped inform this novel. Among them are works by JaHyun Kim Haboush,
A New History of Korea
by Ki-baik Lee, and
Sources of Korean Tradition
edited by Yongho Ch’oe, Peter H. Lee and Wm. Theodore de Bary. Three books were instrumental in shaping the Historical Note:
A Concise History of Korea
by Michael J. Seth,
Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea
by Keith Pratt and
Korea Between Empires: 1895
–
1919
by Andre Schmid.
The four illustrations displayed on the title and part title pages were painted by my mother, Alice Hahn Hyegyung Kim. Unlike her father and brother who studied painting in their youths, my mother deferred pursuing her love of art until widowhood in her eighties. She soon proved that
her brush flowed with as much talent and authority as that of a king’s calligrapher.
My gratitude to Nat Sobel and Judith Weber and their staff, and Helen Atsma and her colleagues, for expertise and enthusiasm.
I am grateful to my sisters, friends and my family for their unceasing support of this writing that took many forms, including reading, storytelling, travel, translation, great meals, greater conversations, generous loans of beach houses and the all-important cheerleading. Thank you.
EUGENIA SUNHEE KIM is the daughter of Korean immigrant parents who came to America shortly after the Pacific War. She has published short stories and essays in journals and anthologies, including
Echoes Upon Echoes: New Korean American Writings
, and is an MFA graduate of Bennington College. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and son.
The Calligrapher’s Daughter
is her first novel.