The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”
Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
www.tuttlepublishing.com
Copyright © 2012 by Daniel Tudor.
Photographs not credited in the photo insert between pages 96 and 97 are by the author.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tudor, Daniel, 1982-
Korea : the impossible country / Daniel Tudor. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1022-9 (ebook)
1. Korea (South)--Civilization--20th century. 2. Korea (South)--Civilization--21st century. I. Title.
DS916.27.T84 2012
951.9--dc23
2012017071
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North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930
Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.
61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280-1330
Fax: (65) 6280-6290
First edition
15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1 1208RP
Printed in China
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Contents
Acknowledgments, Caveats, and a Note on Names
Chapter 1 Shamanism and the Spirit World
Chapter 5 Capitalism with a Korean Face
Chapter 6 Democracy: Beyond Asian Values
Chapter 7 Jeong—The “Invisible Hug”
Chapter 11 From Clan to Nuclear Family
Part III: Hyun-shil: Cold Reality
Chapter 13 North Korea: Friend, Foe, or Foreigner?
Chapter 14 Politics and the Media
Chapter 15 Onward, Industrial Soldiers
Chapter 16 “More Important than the Business Itself”
Chapter 17 Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Perfect
Part IV: In the Hours Not Spent Working
Chapter 19 Living Space: From Hanok to Apartment Houses and Back Again