Japanese Army’s Oppression on Buddhist Temple in the Latter Period of the Righteous Armies’ Anti-Japanese Struggle

After dissolution of the Joseon army by the Korean-Japanese treat of 1907,righteous army acted in earnest and often stationed in the buddhist temple. Righteous Army did many activities in temple, which were taking care of roomand board, gathering information, recruitment of troop, production of weaponsand etc. As a result, temple was under oppression for suppression of righteousarmy. Japanese suppressed buddhist temple by incineration or blockade. Japanesetemple incineration where righteous army stayed were means of retribution formonks and blocking of establishing righteous army base. As a result, 36 templeswas disappeared in Korea since August 1907. Especially, 30 temples weredisappeared between August and November in 1907, which comprise 83% ofall disappeared temple at that time. It is presumed to be that japanese pushedforward a strong suppression because of upsurge of righteous army spirit directlyafter dissolution of Joseon army. At 1907, most of damages were happened in Northern Gyeonggi-do andGyeongsangbuk-do area, and at 1908, most of the damages were happened inJeolla-do region. It took decades of time for recovering of temples and sometemples could not be discovered forever. Also, because of incineration, koreanbuddhism had great cultural heritage lost. Blockade of temple mean forfeiture of food, breaking up of monks or stationingof japanese troops. This allows that control and surveillance of temple for blockingof righteous army usage. Thoughtless incineration made negative popular opinionand was decided inefficient method for suppression of righteous army, japanese chose incineration or blockade according to situation. At the case of temple whichhad big influence or potential of helping righteous army is small, blockade actionwas decided. Japanese controlling of temple lead Temple Act which established at 1911. the Japanese Government - General of Korea prohibited non-religious purposeof use of temple and political activities of monk. It is considered that blockingof connection between buddhism and independence movement. On the other hand, repressive politics of japanese could influence attitude ofBuddhist monks. It is possible that monks became having a cooperative attitudefor japanese because of fear. Conversely, indignation by suppression could influencethat becoming righteous army or changing attitude which lukewarm to stronganti-japanese.