A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa: Book Overview

Have you ever wondered what life is really like in North Korea? What would drive someone to risk everything to escape such a repressive regime?

In A River in Darkness, Masaji Ishikawa shares his harrowing true story of life in North Korea and his eventual escape. This gripping memoir takes you on a journey from Ishikawa's childhood in Japan to his family's ill-fated move to North Korea and their struggle to survive under its oppressive rule.

Let's dive into Ishikawa's incredible tale of resilience and his daring escape from one of the world's most secretive countries.

Overview of A River in Darkness

In A River in Darkness, Masaji Ishikawa recounts his harrowing journey relocating from Japan to North Korea as a youth with his family. They were lured by North Korean propaganda promising a utopian paradise, only to encounter brutal oppression, starvation, and forced ideological indoctrination under the authoritarian regime.

Ishikawa chronicles the resilience of his family and their unwavering will to survive in the face of unimaginable difficulties. He illuminates the harsh realities of life in North Korea, his grim struggle to preserve his humanity, and his daring escape that finally led him back to Japan.

Ishikawa's Early Life in Japan

Masaji Ishikawa's story begins in Mizonokuchi, Japan, where he spent his childhood. These early years were filled with simple joys and happy memories. Ishikawa recalls playing in streams, floating in wash basins, and dreaming of a bright future where he'd help others and become a top political leader. His grandmother's chicken store added to the lively atmosphere of their neighborhood.

Ishikawa's family background played a significant role in shaping his identity. His father, a Korean man nicknamed "Tiger," was known for his heavy drinking and aggressive behavior. In contrast, his mother Miyoko came from the respected Ishikawa clan in Japan and was known for her resilience and beauty. This mix of cultures within his family created a complex identity for young Ishikawa.

Despite facing financial hardships that sometimes led to the children staying with various family members, Ishikawa looks back on his early years with fondness. However, his mixed heritage also exposed him to the harsh realities of discrimination against Koreans living in Japan. This discrimination shaped Ishikawa's perspective and forced him to confront his complex heritage in the face of derogatory remarks from family members and society at large.

The Impact of Discrimination

The discrimination faced by Koreans in Japan had a profound impact on Ishikawa's family and community. His father, like many others in the Korean enclave, struggled to find formal employment due to prejudice. This forced many people of Korean heritage to rely on informal economic activities to make a living.

Despite the negative perceptions prevalent in Japanese society, Ishikawa's experiences fostered an appreciation for Korean culture and the people he met. He acknowledges their warmth and kindness, which stood in stark contrast to the stereotypes he encountered. One particularly influential figure in Ishikawa's life was a friend he nicknamed "Lion." This companion significantly impacted Ishikawa's outlook by emphasizing the importance of kindness and warmth, especially in the face of challenges and biases related to his mixed ancestry.

These experiences created a complex tapestry of memories and reflections for Ishikawa. He found himself struggling with divergent cultural identities, caught between his Japanese and Korean heritage. This internal conflict would continue to shape his perspective as he faced the challenges that lay ahead in North Korea.

The Decision to Move to North Korea

The Ishikawa family's decision to relocate to North Korea was influenced by a combination of factors. During a period of economic downturn, many Koreans living in Japan faced unemployment and discrimination. North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Il-sung, was being praised as a model of socialist success. The Chollima Movement and Korean educators in Japan echoed this view, despite widespread economic difficulties in North Korea.

The League of Koreans in Japan played a significant role in promoting North Korea as a flawless paradise, offering hope to those facing hardships. They promised improved living standards, guaranteed jobs, and educational opportunities. This extensive resettlement program was supported by a collaborative effort between Japan and an international body, overseen by a humanitarian organization.

Ishikawa's father, facing discrimination and job insecurity in Japan, was swayed by the North Korean propaganda and the persuasions of the League. He was eager to provide a stable life for his family and believed the promises of a better future in North Korea. However, Ishikawa himself approached the situation with skepticism and caution. He wasn't entirely convinced by his father's depiction of a safe existence in North Korea, creating tension within the family as they embarked on this life-changing journey.

Harsh Realities in North Korea

Upon arriving in North Korea, the Ishikawa family was confronted with a stark reality that sharply contrasted with the utopian life they had been promised. They faced deplorable living conditions that made daily survival a constant struggle. Their new home was cramped and inadequately heated, lacking basic amenities such as bathing facilities. The family also experienced severe food shortages, forcing them to take extreme measures to sustain themselves, including consuming dog meat due to the meager earnings of Ishikawa's father.

The family also encountered a complex web of socio-political challenges. They faced discrimination and were regarded as foreigners due to language barriers. The constant surveillance by North Korean authorities, coupled with the community's deep-seated views about Japanese individuals, created an atmosphere of isolation for the Ishikawa family.

Ishikawa himself endured bullying at school, while his father faced the dual burdens of grueling labor and indoctrination. The pervasive monitoring of societal expectations deeply infringed upon their personal lives, exacerbating their sense of isolation. As they encountered efforts to mold their beliefs, Ishikawa and his family members became acutely aware of the grim reality of their situation, recognizing the falsehoods that had ensnared them.

Adapting to Life in North Korea

Despite the harsh conditions, Ishikawa tried to adapt to life in North Korea. He faced challenges in communication due to language barriers, but occasionally found help from teachers who would explain things in his native language. His education in North Korea instilled in him a sense of loyalty and cultivated admiration for the country's leadership and achievements.

Ishikawa's commitment to adapting was recognized when he was appointed as the leader of his class in his final year of middle school. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Democratic Youth League, further integrating into North Korean society.

However, this integration came at a cost. Ishikawa witnessed firsthand the strict ideological indoctrination and pervasive authoritarian control over daily life. His father was forced to join the Agricultural Workers' Union, subjecting him to similar ideological conditioning at mandatory educational meetings. The government demanded unwavering loyalty to Kim Il-sung, exerting dominance over every aspect of existence.

During his involvement with the Youth League, Ishikawa observed the decline in agricultural output as farming methods were dictated more by ideological beliefs than practical effectiveness. His time spent under the strict tutelage of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Brigade further cemented his understanding of the pervasive authoritarian grip on society.

Survival Strategies

The Ishikawa family endured significant financial hardships in North Korea. When Ishikawa stopped working on the farm, he was forced to resort to stealing daikon radishes to feed himself. Survival often depended on gathering plants and resorting to theft. In a particularly desperate situation, Ishikawa had to beg for breast milk to save his wife and young child from starvation.

To improve their situation, Ishikawa accepted a job distributing soybean-based condiments. This position provided an opportunity to acquire food and enhanced his bartering options, helping the family to survive in the face of extreme scarcity.

Tragedy and Loss

Life under North Korean rule was marked by a succession of heartbreaking events for the Ishikawa family. Ishikawa endured extreme suffering not only due to the cruel behavior of his stepmother but also because of the grief associated with his sister Masako's passing and the struggles her children endured.

The family was deeply affected by the death of his sister's baby boy, who passed away at only three months old. As Ishikawa buried the child during a storm, his mind was consumed by the harshness of a life beset by adversity.

Even family members who attempted to comply with the regime met with grim fates. Ishikawa's father, once physically strong, faced a devastating beating from the police over a misunderstanding. This event marked the beginning of his decline, eventually leading to his death. On his deathbed, Ishikawa's father made a final wish: for his son to return to Japan and expose the harsh realities of life under the North Korean regime. This dying wish profoundly influenced Ishikawa's view on his own survival and the legacy of his family.

The Daring Escape

Ishikawa's journey to freedom was fraught with danger. It involved a treacherous trek across the border river, all while carefully evading vigilant border guards. Setting out from Hamju Station toward Hyesan, a city near the nation's frontier, Ishikawa was determined to avoid capture at all costs, even if it meant risking his own well-being.

Despite strict restrictions on movement, he successfully eluded officials, all while burdened with the constant dread of being apprehended. During a torrential rainstorm, he stealthily navigated the river, keeping a watchful eye out for the guards of Hyesan.

After regaining consciousness on the riverbank, Ishikawa's fortune turned when he encountered a compassionate older Korean man named Kim. This encounter marked the beginning of a series of benevolent acts by Chinese citizens who recognized his plight and offered aid by concealing and transporting him to safety.

Bureaucratic Hurdles

Ishikawa's odyssey continued to be challenging even after his arrival in China. He faced a complex array of bureaucratic and judicial obstacles that impeded his journey back to Japan. The Japanese embassy in Shenyang played a crucial role in assisting with his journey, but the process was far from smooth.

Ishikawa and his companions had to devise an intricate escape plan, employing deception, hidden routes, and tactical misdirections to evade North Korean agents. His limited proficiency in Japanese presented significant challenges, but his unwavering resolve and covert help enabled him to be placed directly on a specially organized flight to Japan, bypassing usual protocols.

During this time, Ishikawa sought refuge within the Japanese consulate in Shenyang. He was consumed by concern for his safety as Chinese law enforcement officials positioned themselves at the entrance. During his time in isolation, he felt a connection with the consul's group but remained skeptical about the progress of negotiations and was apprehensive about surveillance, as evidenced by the well-protected consulate and the secretive nature of his visit.

Challenges in Japan

Upon returning to Japan, Ishikawa faced a new set of challenges. His North Korean background, as listed on his resume, often led to doubts that made finding employment an arduous task. Ostracized by his relatives and reliant on government support, he endured a difficult existence. Ishikawa grappled intensely with a sense of estrangement, viewing himself as abandoned and devoid of family ties in his native land.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching aspect of Ishikawa's return to Japan was the constant worry about the safety of his family members who remained in North Korea. He struggled to reintegrate into society, tormented by the agony of being separated from his loved ones. Persistent notifications of his family's grim situation were conveyed through letters filled with bleak updates and recollections, along with the battle to secure the well-being of his offspring.

Even though Ishikawa managed to escape to Japan, the suffering of his family members remaining under North Korean oppression continues to cast a shadow over his story. His journey serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, while also shedding light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in North Korea.