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| Animal activist in search of abandoned animals in Odaka city, from the series Fukushima "No Go" Zone. |
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| Mister Matsumoto, Yakuza member and TEPCO contractor is praying on his family grave, from the series Fukushima "No Go" Zone. |
Despite the massive contamination, life still goes on inside the “No-Go Zone” and many stories between life and death are still inside. The story is still ongoing…
These remarkable hand-colored images from the early 20th century, unearthed from Oregon State University’s public domain archive, offer a rare look at Japan’s rich cultural legacy.
Inspired by an article about the Fukushima Fifty, the group of workers who have gone back to work at the Fukushima Daichii nuclear plant in the wake of the earthquake/tsunami disaster, artist Alex Pardee created this piece called Heroes and is selling prints to benefit the workers.
[Popular Mechanics Magazine believes it need offer no apology for presenting an account of the Japanese earthquake at this late date, when it is the experience of a native eye-witness, N. Sakata, this magazine's special correspondent in Tokyo. The tale is a moving one and written from the native point of view. In the stress of his emotions, Mr. Sakata seems to have suddenly developed a fluency ill English, which former contributions lacked to some extent. His 'copy' has been edited in order that his pitiful adventures may be more readily grasped by the reader.—Editor's Note.] THE morning of September first was stormy. A strong wind was blowing, and I could scarcely hold an umbrella. It was raining heavily, but when I reached my office it began to clear up, and the dark sky changed to a cheerful blue.
This blog shows photos of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s. In 1854, Japan opened its doors to the outside world for the first time in more than 200 years. It set in motion a truly astounding transformation. As fate would have it, photography had just been invented. As the old country vanished and a new one was born, daring photographers took photos.
Asahina Saburô Yoshihide wrestles with two crocodiles at Kotsubo Beach, Kamakura, 1849 Colour woodblock, oban triptych (left sheet) 35.7 x 25.2 cm
Utagawa Kuniyoshi, The Chinese warrior Zhang Heng
In 1938, the Japanese Red Cross worked with government authorities to create a series of posters to teach the public about the new Anti-Aircraft Defense Law, which was enacted in seeming anticipation of air strikes following the outbreak of the Japan-China War (1937-1945). Among other things, the law required citizens to take protective measures against gas attacks and prepare for disinfection, evacuation and relief. For the government, one purpose of the posters — which were created as part of a military exhibition at the Red Cross Museum — was to instill a pattern of “anti-aircraft defense thought” among the population.The other day Mr. Nag and I were talking about the school bomb drills we had to participate in during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I still recall the fear induced by the air raid sirens. The Japanese population must have been terrified during this time.
Tokyo Metro's monthly Manner Manner Poster campaign utilizes bold, cartoon-like depictions of a certain antisocial behavior subway riders should avoid doing... on the subway, at least. Barfing after passing out drunk, loud cellphone yakking and practicing golf swings with wet umbrellas - normal activities on North American subways - are no-no's on Tokyo Metro's sprawling subway system, though perfectly all right if done in the privacy of your home.
Japan Tobacco finds itself in a bind. Like other cigarette makers and distributors, JT is saddled with a product that is at the same time popular and unhealthy. Advertising cigarettes, when it is allowed at all, has to be handled with care and discretion. With their “Smoking Manners for Adults” ads, JT avoids the whole “to smoke or not to smoke” conundrum, focusing instead on ways smokers can lower their profile and not annoy non-smokers.
