The Marmot’s Hole

I just returned from another trip to Japan, and I am glad to report that 23C was not on the airplane. Of course, this time I flew Asiana (as opposed to the previous trip on United) and I am glad to say that it was a very enjoyable flight, and, believe it or not, the food served on the flight was pretty good.

I thought that some of you might be interested in the Municipal Laws and punishments of the Japanese settlement in Fusan (Busan, Pusan, Foosan) in February 1882, amended police regulations. I am not going to list them all - just the fun ones. Please note, for those of you who will somehow be offended by this (you know who you are - you are offended with every post but your own), please note that the United States is filled with old and strange laws - I am not disputing this. Our strange and old laws are probably stranger than anything I could possibly find in Korea. Try hard to not be offended.

#2 All offences against industrial regulations for the residents in the Settlement with the exception of offences against brothel and singing girl regulations.
#8 Men wearing women’s clothing
#12 Keeping public baths for both sexes indiscriminately
#13 Throwing open the doors of bathhouses, or exposing the person indecently
#14 Going to fires on horseback, not having any business there.
#17 Scavengers (I believe this refers to people collecting human waste to be used as fertilizer) carrying tubs without lids.
#18 Challenging to wrestling, or forcing on people wares for sale.
#19 Newsmen reading aloud newspapers in the streets
#20 Discharging fire-arms near houses.

“The penalty for the offences specified below (above) is imprisonment from one to ten days, or a fine of from 5 sen to 1 yen 50 sen.