Old Tokyo

Museum exhibit of a Maruko-bune [Round-bottomed boat], c. 1920.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:01:54 +0000

See also: Lake Biwa Canal, Otsu, c. 1910-1920. The “Incline Lift”, Kyoto, c. 1910. A Maruko-bune (also spelled Marugata-bune) is a traditional Japanese wooden cargo boat unique to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. The name translates to “round-shaped boat”, likely referring to its displacement hull. These shallow-draft vessels were essential for Edo period trade in […]

The post Museum exhibit of a Maruko-bune [Round-bottomed boat], c. 1920. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

“In Support of the Imperial Capital Health Education” advertising postcard, Asakusa, Tokyo, 1926.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:01:42 +0000

See also: “Earthquake photography”, Tokyo, 1923. Earthquake refugee camp on the Imperial Palace plaza, Tokyo, 1923. Aerial view of Shinjuku Gyoen and Nishi-Shinjuku water treatment plant, Tokyo, c. 1960. The 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed 350,000 homes in Tokyo and 90% of homes in nearby Yokohama, leaving thousands homeless. The widespread destruction […]

The post “In Support of the Imperial Capital Health Education” advertising postcard, Asakusa, Tokyo, 1926. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Fukuoka Industrial Exposition, Kyushu Electric Light & Traction Co. promotional postcard set, Fukuoka, 1920.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:01:41 +0000

See also: Japan Electrical Exhibition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1918. Evening illuminations, Peace Commemorative Exposition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1922. Tokyo Exposition for Domestic Industry Promotion in Commemoration of the Great Coronation, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1928. The Fukuoka Industrial Exposition occurred between March 20 – May 20, 1920, organized chiefly by the Kyushu Electric Light & Traction […]

The post Fukuoka Industrial Exposition, Kyushu Electric Light & Traction Co. promotional postcard set, Fukuoka, 1920. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Head Office, Tokyo Gas Co., Kanda, Tokyo, c. 1910.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:01:34 +0000

See also: Marunouchi District, c. 1900-1950. Viscount Shibusawa Eiichi, “Father of Japanese Capitalism”, various postcards, c. 1907-1928. Japan’s first gas enterprise was founded in Yokohama in 1872, producing street lighting from manufactured coal gas. The Basamichi district was the first city district in Japan to be artificially lit at night. The Tokyo Prefectural Gas Bureau […]

The post Head Office, Tokyo Gas Co., Kanda, Tokyo, c. 1910. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Kokusai Bunka Shinkōkai (K.B.S.) lecture series, Yokohama, c. 1955.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:01:23 +0000

See also: International House, Azabu, Tokyo, 1968. Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai (K.B.S.) was founded in 1934 under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, and tasked with “promoting the correct understanding of Japan abroad.” Its activities included periodical publications, film productions, lectures, concerts, and academic exchanges. However, during World War […]

The post Kokusai Bunka Shinkōkai (K.B.S.) lecture series, Yokohama, c. 1955. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, New Year’s advertising postcard, c. 1905.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:01:11 +0000

See also: Meiji Merry Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, c. 1930. Meiji-brand “Cream Caramel” advertising postcard, c. 1935. Japan Postal Service 50th Anniversary commemorative postcards, 1921. Over the course of the Meiji period, in a land sparse of dairy cattle and dairy industry, condensed milk became a popular imported food and a symbol of Western-influenced modernization […]

The post Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, New Year’s advertising postcard, c. 1905. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

“Hōkā”-brand toiletries advertising postcard, 1917.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:01:26 +0000

See also: “Modern Shampoo” advertising postcard, c. 1935. “Club Washing Powder” advertising postcards, c. 1910. “With the introduction of Western civilization in our country, foreign-made toilet articles rapidly superceded Japanese articles and, for a time, the people entirely depended upon foreign supplies for their daily toilet necessities. “… The toilet goods turned out by Japanese […]

The post “Hōkā”-brand toiletries advertising postcard, 1917. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Mitsukoshi Gofukuten advertising postcards, c. 1905.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:01:56 +0000

See also: Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi, c. 1903-1923. Roof Garden, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo, c. 1930. Nozawa & Bros. department store, Yokohama, c. 1940. Mitsukoshi Gofukuten [Department Store] helped revolutionize Japanese advertising by transitioning from traditional chindonya and nishiki-e to modern retail advertising, exemplified by the company’s 1905 “Department Store Declaration” and the establishment soon-thereafter […]

The post Mitsukoshi Gofukuten advertising postcards, c. 1905. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Limited express “Uzushio” promotional postcard, Osaka-Uno, 1961.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:01:19 +0000

See also: J.N.R. Tokaido Main Line Limited Express commemorative advertising postcard, October 1958. Kyoto-Matsue “Matsukaze” express train advertising postcard, 1961. “Uzushio” [Whirlpool] was a limited-express operated by the Japan National Railroad (J.N.R.) connecting Osaka to Uno with onward ferry connections to Takamatsu, Shikoku (near the Naruto whirlpools, hence the name). Service was introduced in 1961 […]

The post Limited express “Uzushio” promotional postcard, Osaka-Uno, 1961. first appeared on Old Tokyo.

Kabuki actor Ichimura Kamezoh III, c. 1915.

Old Tokyo — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:01:29 +0000

See also: Kabuki stage makeup (kumadori), c. 1930. How Faubion Bowers Saved Kabuki. Ichimura Kamezō III, also known as Kamezoh III, was a prominent kabuki actor active around the early 20th century, particularly noted for his performances in the 1910s. He settled in Tôkyô in 1907 and was adopted by Ichimura Uzaemon XV. By taking […]

The post Kabuki actor Ichimura Kamezoh III, c. 1915. first appeared on Old Tokyo.