Memories of Ping Gangli: On the Street Brothels of China during the War

Memories of Ping Gangli: On the Street Brothels of China during the War

The name "Heikouri" remains vivid in the memories of Japanese who visited China. Heikouri was originally the name of a high-class brothel in Chang'an, the ancient capital of China, and had such an elegant sound that it appeared in poems and documents of the Tang Dynasty. However, during the war years of the 20th century, the area with the same name took on a completely different appearance. It had become a low-class brothel for poor women, with poor sanitary conditions and an epidemic of syphilis and venereal diseases. It is said that the Japanese military strictly forbade soldiers from entering the area for fear of spreading the disease.

According to records and personal accounts of the time, the huts that lined the streets were in disrepair and bore no resemblance to the elegance of Chang'an in the past. The difference between the ancient splendor of the place's name and the actual desolation of the place is a true testament to the changes of the times. Those who went to mainland China as young soldiers during the war had mixed feelings whenever they heard the name of this place. The gap between the beautiful name and the reality symbolized the loss of human dignity brought about by the war.

This "Memory of Pyeongkang-ri" is more than just an anecdote about a pleasure quarter; it is a place that reflects the irony of history. The transformation of a name that bore an ancient cultural legacy into a symbol of desolation in the midst of modern warfare continued to leave a strong impression on those who recount their wartime experiences. The vivid descriptions that remain in the records convey the scars of war on cities and society, and highlight the inevitable intersection of human life and history.