How should 大東輿地圖 be translated in English?

"Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) is the name of Kim Jeong-ho's famous 1861 map of Korea. It is sometimes translated into English as "Map of the Great Eastern State," but I think it should actually be translated as "Big Map of the Eastern Territory" since the Chinese character 大 seems to be referring to the size of the map rather than the size or greatness of the country. The assembled "Dae Dongyeo Jido" is 6.6 meters high and 4 meters wide.

At a recent exhibition of their "Dae Dongyeo Jido," the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee translated 大東輿地圖 as "Territorial Map of the Great East," which I think is the wrong translation.



UPDATE:

In Korea, the English name for the "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) seems to be "Grand Map of Korea," which means it was the map that was "grand," not the country.

Also, there is an atlas in the National Museum of Korea that was labeled "Dong Yeo (東輿 - Eastern Territory), but the large map that the atlas assembles into was labeled "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖 - Grand Map of the Eastern Territory), which, again, suggests that the 大 (big) was referring to the map, not to the country. The Chinese character 大 (big) seems to be used only with Korea's especially large maps.

It was not until Japan liberated Korea from Chinese suzerainty in 1895 that Korea became "Great" (大), that is, "The Great Han Empire" (大韓帝國 - 대한제국).

"Dongyeo" (東輿) literally means "Eastern Land" or "Eastern Territory," which implies that the name was given to Korea by her suzerain, China. Therefore, it seems that Korea's most celebrated map is also, unfortunately, a reminder of Korea's past subservient relationship with China.

Maybe, the real name for the map should be "The Grand Map of China's Eastern Territory"?

1861 - "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) with Unique "Index Map"

On November 20, the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee put on display a copy of Kim Jeong-ho's (金正浩) famous 1861 "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) map, one of only 28 complete sets known still to exist. However, the copy at the University of Wisconsin has something that none of the other copies have: an index map (總目全幅).

Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo / Takeshima) does not appear on the Dae Dongyeo Jido (大東輿地圖), or on any Korean map from the Joseon Dynasty, but the index map shown below makes it even clearer that Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo / Takeshima) were not considered a part of Korean territory.

It seems strange that the University of Wisconsin map is the only remaining copy of the "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) that has an index map. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that it was brought out of Korea in the late 1800s?





LINK to Korean Article on the map

Columbia Univ. Professor: "Kim Jeong-ho had absolutely no concept of Dokdo"

1882 Aug 2 - Japanese newspaper 自由新聞

According to THIS KOREAN WEB PAGE, the August 2, 1882 edition of the Japanese newspaper "自由新聞" (Freedom Newspaper) had an article in which the following was said:

The cession of territory would create everlasting bitterness, so it would be a fundamentally bad method. However, taking over Joseon's Matsushima (松島) would be a good thing.

The Korean writer claims that the "Matsushima" (松島) in the article was referring to "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but, of course, if such a thing was written, it would be much more likely that Matsushima was referring to Ulleungdo since, by 1882, Japanese were referring to Ulleungdo as Matsushima.

Does anyone have any links to the newspaper or know anything about the article mentioned?

The following is supposed to be a photo of the relevant page of the newspaper, which is apparently on display at the National Museum of Korea.

Latter 1800s: "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) - Ulleungdo (鬱陵島)

The following map of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島) is from a Korean atlas entitled "Dongyeo" (東輿), which literally means "Eastern Land." The map is believed to have been made in the latter half of the 1800s and is similar to other maps of Ulleungdo made during the 1800s, except that the small neighboring island off the east shore of Ulleungdo was left unnamed on this map. On other similar maps, the small island was labeled "Usan" (于山) or "Usando" (于山島).

Instead of being labeled "Dongyeo" (東輿), the full, assembled map was labeled "Dae Dongyeo Jido (大東輿地圖), which suggests that the Chinese character 大 (big) was used to refer to the size of the map, not to the size or greatness of the country. In other words, "Dae Dongyeo Jido" (大東輿地圖) did not mean "Map of the Great Eastern Land," but "Big Map of the Eastern Territory." The name "Eastern Land" (東輿) was a name for Korea. The atlas is stored in the National Museum of Korea.

Nat'l Library of Korea "Map Materials Room" Opens

On November 25, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the new "Map Materials Room" of the National Library of Korea. The 522 sq. meter Map Materials Room is stocked with 9,507 map-related books and 3,277 maps. Also, digital images of the antique maps stored in the National Library of Korea, including the "Cheonggu-do," can be easily accessed with easy-to-use touch screen search technology. The antique map databases of twenty-three other institutions can also be searched by way of the library's Web site.





LINK

Columbia Univ. Professor: "Kim Jeong-ho had absolutely no concept of Dokdo"

At the November 20 "Korea Day Conference" at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, King Sejong Professor Emeritus of Korean Studies at Columbia University, Gari Ledyard, supposedly told a Korean attendee that the famous 19th century Korean mapmaker Kim Jeong-ho (金正浩 ) "had absolutely no concept of Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks).

According to THIS KOREAN LANGUAGE POST, the writer says that after Professor Ledyard's hour-long presentation on Kim Jeong-ho's 1861 "Daedong Yeojido" map, he approached the professor and asked why he had not mentioned anything about Dokdo (獨島) and Gando (間島) in his presentation. He says that Professor Ledyard responded by saying, "Kim Jeong-ho had absolutely no concept of Dokdo and Gando." The writer says he was shocked to hear that America's top expert on the "Daedong Yeojido" did not know that Kim Jeong-ho had drawn "Dokdo" on his 1834 "Jeonggu-do" map of Ulleungdo even though the professor had talked about the "Jeonggu-do" map in his presentation. He says he then showed Professor Ledyard a copy of Kim Jeong-ho's 1834 Ulleungdo map to prove that Kim had known of Dokdo, but that after looking at the map, the professor told him, "Dokdo is not written there." He says that Professor Ledyard then walked away.

The Korean attendee obviously thought that the island labeled as "Usan" (于山) on Kim Jeong-ho's 1834 map of Ulleungdo was proof that Kim had known of "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks) and was "shocked" to hear that Professor Ledyard disagreed. I guess the attendee would also be shocked to know that the head of Korea's Dokdo Museum also said that the island labeled as "Usan" on Kim's 1834 map was Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo, not Dokdo. Here is what the head of Korea's Dokdo Museum said about the island labeled as "Usan" on Kim's 1834 map in a March 19, 2007 article:

Dokdo Museum Director Lee Seung-jin said, “After confirming the three old maps, it is obvious to anyone that they showed Jukdo, not Dokdo; and even in our country’s academic circles, it is judged to be Jukdo.

By the way, the "Daedong Yeojido" map at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee has a unique index map that provides more evidence that Kim Jeong-ho did not consider Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) to be a part of Korea.

YTN News Video on the November 20 Conference

Old Maps at the National Library of Korea

The book on the left was published by the National Library of Korea in June 2009 and is entitled "Bibliography of Dokdo Related Material Housed at the National Library of Korea -- Old Documents Volume"

I have not yet seen the book, but what interests me about the cover is the map on it and the fact that "Old Document Volume" is written on it, which suggests that an "Old Map Volume" may follow.

The library has made many of its old maps available online HERE, but they still have other maps they have not put online, for some reason. Therefore, I would be interesting in seeing the "Old Map Volume" of the book to the left. I wonder when that will come out.

U. of Wisconsin Library Removes "Dok Do" from Map Description

The American Geographical Society Library at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee has corrected the description on its Web site of the 19th-century Korean atlas "Yeojido" (輿地圖). The library had labeled the atlas' map of Gangwon Province as showing "Kangwon Do, Ullung Do, & Dok Do," but now it simply labels it "Kangwon Do, Ullung Do."

The Gangwon Province map in the "Yeojido" atlas shows Ulleungdo with a neighboring island labeled "Usando" (于山島). I had suggested in a post HERE that the library correct their description of the map since Japanese and Korean historians differ on the location of Usando on old Korean maps. Korean historians claim Usando was the old Korean name for Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) while Japanese historians claim it was the old Korean name for Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo.

By removing "Dok Do" from the description, the library appears to be taking a neutral stance on the territorial dispute, which I think is fair for both Korea and Japan, especially since the name "Dok Do" did not appear on the map.

I thank the American Geographic Society Library at the University of Wisincon - Milwaukee for taking quick action on the issue.

Important Mistranslation of 1694 Ulleungdo Inspection Report

I have found a very likely, important mistranslation of a passage in the "Ulleungdo Sajeok" (蔚陵島事蹟), which was a report of Jang Han-sang's 1694 inspection of Ulleungdo. I am not surprised that Koreans have mistranslated it, but I am surprised that I and others had not noticed the mistranslation before. I think my new translation is a very important piece of evidence supporting the Japanese claim to Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) and would like others to reexamine the passages I present below.

In 1694, the Korean government sent Jang Han-sang (張漢相) to inspect Ulleungdo. In his inspection report, he wrote the following:

About five ri to the east is one small island. It is not very big or very high, and it has a grove of haejang bamboo (海長竹) growing thickly on one side. On a day the rain clouds cleared and the fog settled, we went into the mountains and climbed the central peak. Two tall mountains to the north and south were facing us. This was the so-called Sambong (三峯 - "Three Peaks"). The winding shape of Daegwanryeon (大關嶺 - mountain range on the east coast of the Korean peninsula) was visible to the west. Looking toward the east, there was one island far off to the southeast. The size was only about one-third of Ulleungdo. It was only about 300 ri [120 kilometers] away.

東方五里許 有一小島 不甚高大 海長竹叢生於一面 霽雨?捲之日 入山登中峯 則南北兩峯 岌崇相面 此所謂三峯也 西望大關嶺逶迤之狀 東望海中有一島 杳在辰方 而其大滿蔚島三分之一 不過三百餘里.

The small island five ri (two kilometers) to east of Ulleungdo, which was described as having haejang bamboo (海長竹) growing thickly on one side, was almost certainly Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島) because Jukdo is two kilometers off Ulleungdo's east shore and is Ulleungdo's largest neighboring island. The island was labeled as "Usando" (于山島) on Bak Jang-sang's 1711 inspection map of Ulleungdo.

The island that Jang Han-sang described as being far off to the southeast of Ulleungdo, about 300 ri away (120 kilometers), was almost certainly Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima), which are about 90 kilometers southeast of Ulleungdo. Inspector Jang described the rocks as being about one third the size of Ulleungdo, which tells us he did not travel to the rocks because Liancourt Rocks are actually only about 1/390th the size of Ulleungdo. Later, in the conclusion of his report, Inspection Jang seems to refer to the island as being Japanese territory. Here is the quote:

登島山峰審望彼國之域則杳茫無眼杓之島其遠近未知幾許

If one climbs a mountain peak on the island (登島山峰) and looks carefully (審望) at that country's (Japan's) territory (彼國之域), there is a distant, hazy (則杳茫), inconspicuous island (無眼杓之島). Its distance (其遠近) is unknown (未知幾許).

The above quote is my corrected translation of the mistranslation I was referring to above. It was in the conclusion of Inspector Jang's 1694 report. The "distant, hazy, inconspicuous island" was almost certainly referring back to the distant island referred to earlier in the report as being about 300 ri (120 kilometers) to the southeast of Ulleungdo. The fact that he reported seeing the island while looking at Japanese territory suggests that he believed the island to be Japanese.

Also, in a 1714 Korean report, an island visible to the east of Ulleungdo was described as being on the Japanese border, which suggests, again, that they believed the island to be Japanese:

I listened carefully to the people in the ports (浦人) who said, "Pyeonghae (平海) and Uljin (蔚珍) are closest to Ulleungdo, and there are no obstructions along the sea route. Visible to the east of Ulleung is an island that is on the border of Japan." In 1708 and 1712, strange-looking ships drifted to the borders of Goseong (高城) and Ganseong (杆城), so we know that Japanese ships frequently come and go. The government, however, says that the vast sea is a barrier, so there is no need to worry, but how can we be sure that a future war will not break out in the Yeongdong region instead of the Yeongnam region? We cannot allow even a little delay in taking measures to be thoroughly prepared.

In accordance with the request, the Myodang (廟堂) requested that Gangwondo be reprimanded to cracked down on its military officials.

辛酉江原道御使趙錫命 論嶺東海防疎虞狀略曰 詳聞浦人言 平海蔚珍 距鬱陵島最近 船路無少礙 鬱陵之東 島嶼相望 接于倭境. 戊子壬辰 異攘帆穡 漂到高杆境 倭船往來之頻數 可知. 朝家雖以嶺海之限隔 謂無可憂 而安知異日生釁之必由嶺南 而不由嶺東乎. 綢繆之策 不容少緩. 廟堂請依其言 飭江原道 團束軍保.

Congnamul's Satellite Photo of Ulleungdo

Congnamul has a good satellite photo of Ulleungdo, including its neighboring island Jukdo, but the site charges for its higher resolution photos. The view below is the highest resolution the free version allows.

By the way, Daum Map allows close-up views of Ulleungdo, but, for some strange reason, it does not show Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo on its satellite photos.

Click on the photo to see a larger version.

"Daedong Yeojido" at Univ. of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

On November 20, 2009, the Daedong Yeojido (大東輿地圖), along with other archival Korean maps and photographs, will be on display at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee as part of a "Korea Day Conference." The 1861 Korean map was purchased by the university in 1895 from the father of American diplomat George C. Foulk (1856 ~ 1893), who traveled around Korea in 1884 taking photographs and keeping a detailed journal. To learn more about the Korea Day Conference at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and the 1861 Korean map, click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

According to THIS KOREAN ARTICLE, the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, the University of California - Berkeley, and Harvard University are the only universities in the United States that have complete copies of the Daedong Yeojido. The article says there are twenty-five complete copies of the map in Korea.

To see the first two horizontal sections of the huge map, click HERE.

Univ. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee Duped by "Dokdo" Advocates

The above map is part of an old Korean map in an atlas entitled "Yeojido" (輿地圖), which is part of the Korean Map Collection at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. The map, which is believed to have been made between 1800 and 1887, shows the Korean island of "Ul-lungto" (菀陵島) and a neighboring island labeled "U San do" (于山島). The description of the map, however, lists the islands as "Ullung Do" and "Dok do," even though Dokdo (Liancourt Rocks) does not appear on the map. Notice that the description of the map was "created" on October 7, 2009.

Usando (于山島 - 우산도) was the old Korean name for Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島 - 죽도), which is Ulleungdo's largest neighboring island and only about two kilometers off Ulleungdo's east shore. Koreans, however, claim that Usando was the old Korean name for Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo / Takeshima), but have no maps or documents to back up the claim. Liancourt Rocks is essentially two rock islets, not one, about ninety kilometers southeast of Ulleungdo. Korea's old maps and documents show that Usando was Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo, not Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo / Takeshima).

It is extremely disappointing to see that the people at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee have allowed "Dokdo" advocates to misrepresent the Korean map on the University's Web site. I hope the university quickly corrects the error and is more diligent in the future in guarding against the antics of Korea's "Dokdo" advocates.

The 22nd column “Seeking Truth Based Solely on Facts(実事求是)”, Part 4

Below is the second part of the translation of The 22nd column “Seeking Truth Based Solely on Facts(実事求是)” by Prof. Shimojo Masao

" Refutation against "The Meiji Government's recognition of Takeshima=Dokdo" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)” - Part 4"

(3) Department of the Navy's recognition of "Takeshima and Matsushima"

Mr. Park wrote, " It is noteworthy that Liancourt Rocks was described only to 'Joseon waterway magazine（朝鮮水路誌）', and had not been described to 'Japanese waterway magazine "（ｐ45） He assumed it as a evidence that "Hydrography Department considered Liancourt Rocks, that is, Takeshima = Dokdo outside a Japanese territory." (p46)

However, this is groundless claim since his interpretation of the description of 'Joseon waterway magazine' was strained. The article "Situation" in 1894 edition of the book clearly described that territory of Korea is, " From 124º 30'E longitude to 130º 35'E". Naturally, Liancourt Rocks which situate in 131°55" E is not included in Korean territory.

Besides, the article "Japan Sea", in which Liancourt Rocks are listed, also list "Ulleungdo(another name Matsushima)" and "Waywoda Rock(ワイオダ岩)" as well. According to 'Joseon waterway magazine', "The Waywoda Rock, above water, was originally reported by the Russian corvette Veovoda, in 1859, as situated in lat. 42°16' N., long. 137°18' E." and "The Sea Chart of Hokkaido and Northeastern Islands(北洲及北東諸島)"(1893), which was drawn based on Admiralty Chart No．２４０５(1895), placed it between Hokkaido and Amur Coastal State(黒龍沿岸州).

"Waywoda Rock" was simply listed as the dangerous rocks(暗岩危礁)" in the Sea of Japan, and Liancourt Rocks was listed by the same reason. It can't be any kind of "evidence" that the author considered it as Joseon territory only because it was included in "Joseon waterway magazine".

On the other hand, Liancourt Rocks was discovered by French whaling ship Le Liancourt in 1849 and Takeshima, Matsushima and Liancourt Rocks are drawn in "Complete Map of Pacific Ocean" of French naval forces in 1851. Takeshima(Argonaut) disappeared from around Admiralty Chart No．2347 `JAPAN- NIPON, KIUSIU & SIHOK AND PART OF KOREA` (1876), and it described Matsushima(Uleungdo) and Liancourt Rocks. It was one year before Dajokan instructed "Takeshima and other island" and 4 years before Meiji government confirmed that Matsushima was Ulleungdo as well.

Therefore, Liancourt Rocks was actually "Terra nullius" that did not belong to the country at the time. It cannot be an invasion even if Meiji government had named it as Takeshima and incorporated into Shimane Prefecture as "Terra nullius" in 1905. Because there are no

historical grounds that make Liancourt Rocks a Korean
territory in South Korea, and "Dongguk Munheon Bigo（東国文献備考）"(1770)'s annotation, which SK had been relayed on as grounds of an argument, is already proved as the falsification of posterity.

Recently, Korean started to claim that Dokdo(=Takeshima/Liancourt Rocks) as their "inherent territory", and Mr. Park even wrote that "it is needless to say that this is contradictory to "Takeshima as inherent territory" by Japanese government (p49). However, the only country which is qualified to claim it as "inherent part of the territory" is Japan. The term "Inherent Territory(固有の領土)" indicate the territory which have never been ruled by any other country either like northern territories. As for Takeshima, which had been "Terra nullius" in 1905, Japan was ruling effect from at least 1905 to prewar day. Japanese government has a right to claim Takeshima as "Terra nullius, but South Korea, who invaded Japanese territory in 1954, is apparently disqualified to do claim Dokdo as her "inherent territory" at all.

---------------------------------------------

In conclusion, it is clear that Mr. Park's claim that "theMeiji government consistently held to the policy of making Takeshima and Matsushima outside the territory in Japan until incorporation in 1905" (p36) and they made Korean territory as Japanese territory justifying it as it was "Terra nullius" in the middle of Russo-Japanese War is baseless claim. His article "The Meiji Government's Recognition of Takeshima=Dokdo" (Studies of the cultures in Northeast Asia, no.28, 2008, pp.33-49.) was only a political advertisement that fabricated the falsified history, which confused the Takeshima issue as the history issue, too.

“実事求是　〜日韓のトゲ、竹島問題を考える〜 第２２回 朴炳渉氏の「明治政府の竹島＝独島認識」（「北東アジア文化研究」第２８号）を駁す　下條正男”

Courtesy of Web Takeshima Research Center.

The 24th column “South Korean Government dug their own grave by publishing the English version of "The Dokdo/Takeshima Controversy" by Prof. Emeritus Naito Seichu and Mr. Park Byeong-seop.”

The 23rd column " Refutation against the report of South Korean Yonhap News Agency which misread the Mori Kohan（森幸安）'s "The Map of Tsushima(對馬輿地図)"

The 22th column “ Refutation against "The Meiji Government's recognition of Takeshima=Dokdo" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)””, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

The 21st column " Refutation against "Analysis of Shimojo Masao's Editorials" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)”

The 20th column “Act of Folly by "Northeast Asian History Foundation"”

The 19th column “"Korea Maritime Institute(KMI : 韓国海洋水産開発院）, who lacks ability to read their own historical documents, criticized on Shimane Prefecture. "”

The 18th column “Absurd and Peculiar Theory of Prof. Hosaka, plus the "Children and textbook nationwide net 21" and others' Getting "Out of Control.””

The 17th column “The Ordinance of Prime Minister and Cabinet Office, No.24 and the Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance, No.4 in 1951(昭和26年).”

The 16th column ""Dokdo Month" without any historical grounds."

The 15th column " South Korea's Groundless Claim of "Inherent Part of (Korean) Territory"

The 14th column “A reckless Courage of the Professor Kimishima Kazuhiko(君島和彦) of Tokyo Gakugei University(東京学芸大学).

The 13th column “Sins of Asahi Shimbun and Mr. Wakamiya Yoshibumi(若宮啓文).

The 12th column “Northeast Asian History Foundation and Dokdo Research Center's Misunderstanding”

The 11th column “South Korea's Misunderstanding of 'A Map of Three Adjoining Countries (Sangoku Setsujozu 三国接壌図)' by Hayashi Shihei(林子平)”

The 10th column " A Blunder of Sokdo(石島) = Dokto(独島) Theory”

The 9th column "Criticism on Dokdo Research Center”

The 8th column “The Historical Facts" The 6th column “Onshu-shicho-goki (隠州視聴合記)" and the "Nihon Yochi Totei Zenzu (日本輿地路程全図)" by Nagakubo Sekisui(長久保赤水)"

The 5th column “South Korea’s erroneous interpretation of the document 'Takeshima and Another Island are Unrelated to Japan"

The 4th column “Errors in Educational Video Produced by the Northeast Asian History Foundation (東北アジア歴史財団)."

Reference :
1656 - "Yojiji (輿地志)" by Ryu Hyung-won (柳馨遠) didn't say "Usan is so-called Japanese Matsushima."

1667 - Onshu Shicho Goki (隠州視聴合記)

1877 - Argument about "another island": details of the compiled official documents (公文禄) of the Ministry of the Interior (太政官指令)

1893 - "The Sea Chart of Hokkaido and Northeastern Islands(北洲及北東諸島)" plots Waywoda Rock far outside of Korean territory

1853-1922 - Kimotsuki Kaneyuki (肝付兼行)

1905 March (隱岐新報): Japan "officially" incorporates "Takashima"

Korea's online edition of the Chosun Ilbo has posted a November 7, 2009 article entitled, "1905 Edition of 'Oki Sinbo' ---Evidence of 'not original territory,'" which says that a researcher at the Korea Maritime Institute's Dokdo Research Center has found evidence in a March 1905 Japanese publication that the Japanese claim that "Dokdo" was "originally" Japanese territory is "a lie."

The researcher, whose name is Yu Mi-rin, supposedly said that the following sentence from a March 1905 article, entitled "Oki Boundary Expanded," in the Oki Sinbo (隱岐新報) is the evidence that Japanese are lying:

It is a happy event that two small islands and several islets, which our islanders have traveled to since ancient times, have been officially named Takeshima (竹島) and made a part of Oki territory.

우리 도민이 예로부터 도항하던 두 개의 섬과 많은 작은 섬들이 공식적으로 다케시마(竹島·독도를 일본에서 일컫는 말)라는 이름으로 오키 영토가 된 건 기쁜 일.

Here is the original Japanese with an English translation (courtesy of Kaneganese):

隱岐國境土の膨張

　　隱岐の西北八十五浬を距る海洋に存在する島嶼を竹島と命名し隱岐の新領土として隱岐島司の管轄に屬せしめられぬ、吾人豈太白を浮べて祝せざるを得んや、抑も竹島の地たる姉妹二つの島嶼、數多の小島嶼以て點々包圍せられ、其面積の如き未だ詳にせずと雖も、棲居敢て凌ぎ得ざるにあらずといふ、而して陸産としては殆んど利するものなきも、海産に於ては海獣其他漁利鮮なからずと聞く、由來我島民中夙に仝島に航して獲たる所のもの少なからず、事實上隱岐の領土に屬し居りしは既に久し、然るに公然之を認められざりしは遺憾の感ありしに、今や公認の令に接するを得たる上は我島民たるもの大に期する所なかるべからず、然れども仝島固と狭小なり、産物の濫採は永久の利を得る所以にあらざれば一時の利を競ふて無限の利を顧みざるが如きことなきを要す、當局者たる者亦大に此點に留意する所なかるべからず、兎に角隠岐の地籍に新領の上るは何れの町村の所属となるにせよ、確かに隱岐の一大幸福たり、吾人は快感禁じ難く玆に一言を陳じて隱岐境土の膨張を祝す、（弱魚）

"Oki News" - March 15, 1905 (16th vol.)

Editorial

"Expansion of Oki District Territory"

Islets located eighty-five nautical miles to the northwest of Oki, which have been named Takeshima, have been made new Oki territory and put under the jurisdiction of the governor. I must toast it.

To begin with, the two sister islets which make up Takeshima are surrounded by several smaller islets. Though the exact area size is unclear, it is said it is big enough for a shelter. There are almost no profitable land products, but there are marine products. It is said that there is great profit in marine mammals and various kinds of fish.

Originally, a significant number of Oki islanders have long sailed to the islets, thus it has been de-facto territory of Oki from long ago. Considering that fact, it was lamentable that it was not recognized officially as Oki's territory before now. On receiving the notice of official authorization, our islanders cannot help having great expectations. However, the islets are narrow from the start, so we should not compete for a short-term profit while ignoring the long-term since excessive harvesting of the products there could hurt continuing profits. Those autorities in charge should take note of this concern.

Anyway, it is a great blessing that new territory has joined the Oki cadastre, no matter which town or village the islets belong. I cannot help feeling pleased and will congratulate the expansion of Oki's territory by making remarks on this situation. (Weak Fish)

Contrary to what the Korean researcher claims, the above editorial seems to support Japanese claims that Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) was Japanese territory even before their 1905 incorporation. The rocks seem to have been considered unadministered Japanese territory long before 1905. The incorporation of the rocks in 1905 under Oki administration simply made it offical.

Countries, including the United States, have incorporated and unincorporated territory. Before 1905, Takeshima was essentially considered unincorporated Japanese territory, as is evidenced by a 1878 letter in which Watanabe Kouki (渡辺洪基), who was the Director of the Bureau of Documents in Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said "Hornet Rocks" (Matsushima/Dokdo/Liancourt Rocks) was Japanese territory:

Therefore, if the “Matsushima” being talked about here is Takeshima (Ulleungdo), then it belongs to them. If the Matsushima is not Takeshima, then it must belong to Japan....

Many records say that “Argonaut,” which is the Western name for Takeshima (Ulleungdo), does not exist, and that “Dagelet,” which refers to Matsushima, is actually Takeshima (Ulleungdo). So what we call "Matsushima” (Liancourt Rocks) is called “Hornet Rocks” by Westerners. Foreign maps show Hornet Rocks to be Japanese territory, but there is still no agreement among countries concerning the other two islands.

The above 1878 document is evidence that the Japanese considered Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Dokdo) to be Japanese territory before 1905, even though the rocks were not administered by any particular prefecture. That changed in 1905, when the Japanese government decided, officially, to incorporate Liancourt Rocks into Oki county after receiving a 1904 petition from Japanese businessman Nakai Yozaburo (中井養三郞), who argued that the rocks would be better managed and protected if they were incorporated.

Mr. Nakai sent his petition to incorporate Liancourt Rocks to the Japanese government because he had been told that the rocks were a part of Japanese territory. That fact is evidence that the Japanese at the time distinguished between incorporated and unincorporated territory. The Japanese believed Liancourt Rocks to be Japanese territory, but by putting them under the administration of a Japanese prefecture, it became "official."

Man Arrested for Planning to Torch Japanese Embassy

According to THIS KOREAN ARTICLE, on November 5th, Korean police requested an arrest warrant for a 38-year-old Korean man named Jang, who had been detained the night before, for planning to set fire to the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest Japanese "distortion of history and the Dokdo dispute." The man was also accused of planning to take embassy employees hostage.

However, before Mr. Jang was able to carry out his plans, he was arrested by police, who had learned of his plans and traced his whereabouts through his cell phone.

In a statement to police, Mr. Jang reportedly said, "It is vexing and regrettable that I was caught before I was able to carry out the criminal act, but I will keep trying and will not give up until the Japanese attitude changes."

It seems that Mr. Jang had planned to set fire to the embassy, take a hostage, and then hold a press conference to protest Japanese history books and Japanese claims on Dokdo.

According to THIS ENGLISH ARTICLE, when Mr. Jang was apprehended, he was carrying a knife, a lighter, and a copy of a handwritten press statement. The article also says investigators are checking to see if Mr. Jang has any history of psychiatric illness.

The 22nd column “Seeking Truth Based Solely on Facts(実事求是）”, Part 3

Below is the second part of the translation of The 22nd column “Seeking Truth Based Solely on Facts(実事求是)” by Prof. Shimojo Masao

" Refutation against "The Meiji Government's recognition of Takeshima=Dokdo" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)” - Part 3"

(2) "Dajokan Instruction for "Takeshima and the other island""

In 1877, Shimane Prefecture submitted "Consultation for the Compilation of Land Registration of Takeshima and the other island" in order to ask if they should include to the west of the San-in region since it locates to the northwest of Oki Country, which is within the jurisdiction. In response, Dajokan instructed "Takeshima and the other island has no relation to Japan."

However, there are room for the misjudgement. As Mr. Park himself wrote that " in those days, the number of civilians who gradually called Ulleungdo as Matsushima began to increase under the influence of the wrong western maps." (p44), the geographical recognition of Takeshima and Matsushima was intricate.

It is possible to catch a glimpse of confusion even in Dajoruiten(太政類典), compilation of selected documents of Daojkan, which includes Dajokan instruction in concern. "A Sketch Map of Isotakeshima(磯竹島略図)" which Shimane prefecture submitted, described traditional Takeshima(Ulleungdo) and Matsushima(Takeshima/Liancourt Rocks/Dokdo). On the other hand, the document compiled by Shimane prefecture, Ulleungdo is likely to be misconstrued as Matsushima. For example, the documents continues the story about Takeshima(Ulleungdo), which was the name in Edo era, immediately after Matsushima was described.

The beginning of the confusion was for the Argonaut island, that became the island of the phantom later, and the Dagelet island to be drawn in Siebold's "Complete Map of Japan" in 1840, and to have added the island name of Takeshima and Matsushima, respectively. Later, Takeshima (Argonaut island) was described as "Unconfirmed", shown in the short dashed line in the chart etc. , and Ulleungdo, which had been called "Isotakeshima" or "Takeshima" from the early modern age, started to be labelled as "Matsushima". "The influence of the wrong western maps", which Mr. Park says, was the maps at that time which labelled Ulleungdo as "Matsushima" and Phantom island Argonaut as "Takeshima". It was obviously different from Takeshima and Matsushima that had been recorded in a chart etc. at that time were completely different from Shimane Prefecture's geographic understanding that made "Takeshima" of today "Matsushima".

The error in the chart etc. was corrected according to the measurement of the Amagi warship in 1880. The report by Amagi concluded that Matsushima was Joseon's Ulleungdo, and it was adopted in the book "Takeshima Hanzu Shozokuko(竹島版図所属考)" by Kitazawa Masanari(北澤正誠), a official of MOFA who investigated the issue by the order of Ministry of Foreign Affairs when the deforestation by Japanese on Ulleungdo became problem. Kitazawa lastly concluded that "Matsushima" is Joseon's Ulleungdo.

Then, the Meiji era government sends a secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Higaki Naoe to Ullungdo to evict Japanese on the island. Kitazawa wrote that " it is necessary to know from old times Matsushima=Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks, was outside of our territory from old times. (「古来我版図外の地たるや知るべし」)". Mr. Park disregarded this and concluded that "A related organization such as Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Army, Naval forces and Dajokan thought this island to be a Korean territory" based solely on Dajokan instruction in 1877.

Because of these confusing description of the documents, I simply wrote " it is not clear if Takeshima of today is indicated or not", avoiding concluding, in my book "Takeshima, which country owns it. Japan or South Korea?" and also wrote that "it is possible that this indicate today's Takeshima" in Shimane Prefecture's brochure "Hasshin Takeshima(発信竹島)". However, when there is more spaces to go into details, such as journal "Shokun(諸君)", presenting the basis before and after, I summarized that "both "Takeshima and the other island" indicated today's Ulleungdo." It is sophistry of him to criticize that "It is too exceptional for changing own view so often" (p38)

“実事求是　〜日韓のトゲ、竹島問題を考える〜 第２２回 朴炳渉氏の「明治政府の竹島＝独島認識」（「北東アジア文化研究」第２８号）を駁す　下條正男”

Courtesy of Web Takeshima Research Center.

The 24th column “South Korean Government dug their own grave by publishing the English version of "The Dokdo/Takeshima Controversy" by Prof. Emeritus Naito Seichu and Mr. Park Byeong-seop.”

The 23rd column " Refutation against the report of South Korean Yonhap News Agency which misread the Mori Kohan（森幸安）'s "The Map of Tsushima(對馬輿地図)"

The 22th column “ Refutation against "The Meiji Government's recognition of Takeshima=Dokdo" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)””, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
The 21st column " Refutation against "Analysis of Shimojo Masao's Editorials" by Mr. Park Byeong-seop(朴炳渉)”
The 20th column “Act of Folly by "Northeast Asian History Foundation"”

The 19th column “"Korea Maritime Institute(KMI : 韓国海洋水産開発院）, who lacks ability to read their own historical documents, criticized on Shimane Prefecture. "”

The 18th column “Absurd and Peculiar Theory of Prof. Hosaka, plus the "Children and textbook nationwide net 21" and others' Getting "Out of Control.””

The 17th column “The Ordinance of Prime Minister and Cabinet Office, No.24 and the Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance, No.4 in 1951(昭和26年).”

The 16th column ""Dokdo Month" without any historical grounds."

The 15th column " South Korea's Groundless Claim of "Inherent Part of (Korean) Territory"

The 14th column “A reckless Courage of the Professor Kimishima Kazuhiko(君島和彦) of Tokyo Gakugei University(東京学芸大学).

The 13th column “Sins of Asahi Shimbun and Mr. Wakamiya Yoshibumi(若宮啓文).

The 12th column “Northeast Asian History Foundation and Dokdo Research Center's Misunderstanding”

The 11th column “South Korea's Misunderstanding of 'A Map of Three Adjoining Countries (Sangoku Setsujozu 三国接壌図)' by Hayashi Shihei(林子平)”

The 10th column " A Blunder of Sokdo(石島) = Dokto(独島) Theory”

The 9th column "Criticism on Dokdo Research Center”

The 8th column “The Historical Facts" The 6th column “Onshu-shicho-goki (隠州視聴合記)" and the "Nihon Yochi Totei Zenzu (日本輿地路程全図)" by Nagakubo Sekisui(長久保赤水)"

The 5th column “South Korea’s erroneous interpretation of the document 'Takeshima and Another Island are Unrelated to Japan"

The 4th column “Errors in Educational Video Produced by the Northeast Asian History Foundation (東北アジア歴史財団)."
Reference :
1876 - Shimane prefecture explains the history of Takeshima in 1876 (Part 1/2) (島根県 渡航禁止のいきさつ)

1876 - Shimane prefecture explains the history of Takeshima in 1876　(Part 2/2) (島根県 (竹島の)由来の概略)

1877 - Argument about "another island": details of the compiled official documents (公文禄) of the Ministry of the Interior (太政官指令)

1880 - Japanese Warship "Amagi" (軍艦天城) Surveys Ulleungdo and finds "Takeshima" is Jukdo.

1881 - Kitazawa Masanari(北澤正誠), a official of MOFA concluded that "Takeshima" is Jukdo in "A Study of Takeshima (Takeshima Kosho 竹島考証) "