I just found out that the last Korean princess' daughter, Masae, tragically committed suicide in the mountains of Yamanashi, Japan, where it's currently peach season.
Yamanashi Prefecture, nestled in the foothills of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, is renowned for its juicy peaches, celebrated as some of the finest in the world. As summer arrives, Yamanashi transforms into a paradise of mouth-watering, fragrant peaches, set against a backdrop of lush green mountains and a proud farming community dedicated to peaches and grapes. Throughout the region, peach signs and drawings adorn the landscape, showcasing the deep cultural and agricultural significance of this beloved fruit. Peach season in Yamanashi is something I eagerly anticipate all year, especially after enduring snowy winters.
But today, I stumbled upon a history that will add to my impression of Yamanashi. I discovered that the last Korean princess's daughter, Masae, went into the woods of Yamanashi to commit suicide.
A Brief History of the Last Korean Princess
Princess Deokhye, known as the last princess of Korea, had a tragic life. Born into the Korean royal family during the Joseon Dynasty, she faced immense challenges amidst profound political turmoil. Her life story, reminiscent of 'The Last Emperor,' vividly illustrates her enduring struggle with a nation that is colonized and where she is at the end of an era.
The Korean film 'The Last Princess' poignantly portrays Princess Deokhye's life, providing a glimpse into the tumultuous historical context that defined her fate. Her story parallels that of 'The Last Emperor' of China, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by royalty during periods of profound political change.
Her poignant narrative, akin to 'The Last Emperor,' emphasizes the tragic circumstances that defined her existence under Japanese rule. Princess Deokhye was born into a world marked by political instability, being the last princess of the Korean Royal family. Amidst these turbulent times, under Japanese colonial rule, she became a virtual prisoner of the Japanese empire, subjected to extensive scrutiny and control over every aspect of her life. Forced to leave her homeland at the age of 13, she was relocated to Japan under the guise of pursuing studies abroad, a move that severed her from her family and her roots. Compounding her plight, she was married off against her will to a Japanese count, So Takeyuki, further cementing her status as a pawn in the geopolitical machinations of the era. A year later, she birthed a daughter, Masae.
Princess Deokhye's mental health challenges began in 1930 after her mother's passing, manifesting initially as sleep-walking and later diagnosed as premature dementia, which today might be recognized as schizophrenia.
Much of Princess Deokhye's daily life and the hardships she endured remain shrouded in mystery, leaving her personal struggles largely open to conjecture. Princess Deokhye was institutionalized for her mental health a year after giving birth to her daughter. Following the collapse of the Japanese empire, Count filed for divorce in 1955. Her daughter in 1956 reportedly left a note resembling a suicide note and is said to have disappeared into the mountains of Yamanashi, not being able to deal with her parent's divorce. Information on Masae is scarce, and it is uncertain whether her fate was ever determined.
Count So Takeyuki went to live a good life where he remarried a Japanese woman and had three children but Princess Deokhye met with a very different fate. She was unable to return to Korea during this period because Rhee Syng-Man who was in power at the time in Korea, prevented her from doing so, fearing her potential influence. She was finally able to return to Korea in 1962, at the age of 50 where she continued to frequent mental institutions due to her deteriorating mental health. She passed away afflicted with aphasia, a condition where she could not comprehend languages. Her life was filled with hardships that came with changing political times.
The Film and Book
"Princess Deokhye" by Bi-Young Kwon was sparked by a childhood photo of the princess that captivated the author, propelling the book to the top of bestseller lists in major bookstores for four consecutive weeks. During a trip to Japan, Kwon stumbled upon the poignant tale of Princess Deokhye, the last princess of the Joseon Dynasty—an experience reminiscent of my own discovery while traveling in Japan and enjoying peaches.
The tragic fate of Princess Deokhye, relatively unknown in Korea, inspired Kwon to elevate her story through this novel, aiming to ensure she would not be forgotten by the Korean people. Jin-ho Hur, director/writer, was moved by TV footage of Princess Deokhye's return to Korea in 1962, where former court ladies gathered at the airport to welcome her back after 40 years. This footage inspired Hur to create a film depicting the life of the princess.
You can watch the film on Amazon Prime.
Aeokigahara, the Suicide Mountain
I don't know if Masae committed suicide in the infamous suicide forest of Aokigahara, but it is known as a place where people go to disappear forever. (I have a personal story about this haunting mountain in my upcoming blog post.)
Aokigahara, known as the Sea of Trees or the Suicide Forest, is a dense and hauntingly beautiful woodland at the base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Its reputation as a place where individuals go to contemplate or end their lives has sadly overshadowed its natural splendor. The forest floor is carpeted with thick moss and volcanic rock, muffling sound and creating an eerie silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant calls of wildlife. The labyrinthine paths wind through towering trees, many of which are twisted and gnarled, adding to the forest's mystical atmosphere. This is where most choose to end their lives, in the unnatural silence of the haunted forest, where magnetic fields go haywire, and once deep in the woods, it is easy to get lost since a compass will no longer point in the correct direction.
There was not much information I could find on Masae, but she had just gotten married a year before her disappearance. She just finished school in literature where she met her husband. She grew up without a mother. Probably only knowing her mother with infrequent visits to the insane asylum. Watching her father find love and not remain in an arranged marriage and watching her facade crumble may have pushed her over the limits. Or was she fighting some kind of mental illness like her mom?
The sweetness of enjoying peaches in Yamanashi is tinged with a bitter awareness of the historical tragedy associated with Masae's death and Princess Deokhye's life in those very mountains. As I savor the juicy, fragrant peaches grown in this region renowned for its agricultural excellence, I can't help but reflect on the sorrowful legacy that lingers amidst the beauty of Yamanashi's orchards.
Yamanashi peaches can be found https://www.peach-city.com/
Have you heard of Princess Deokhye before? What do you think happened to her daughter?
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