Monday, July 29, 2019

(1897) Somewhat obvious parallels...


...between old and new Japan but they deliver the message, especially the poster on the right. From a campaign of the Tokyo metropolitan government,  for the upcoming Olympics (I assume). An interesting element, at least for Japan's urban culture maniacs: all three "olds" (woodblock prints, Kabuki theater, manekineko cat) come from the Edo Period, that is from the relatively modern old Japan (17th-19th century). Perhaps one day I should write a little more about how many of the things considered "classic Japanese" were created between 1600 and 1912 i.e. during the Edo and Meiji periods. 

(For a bigger version of this picture both in color and black and white, check my "Japan Arekore" set on Flickr)

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