Off to War
Hi Kjeld-
I came back to this article to tell you I saw a senninbari here in LA at the Japanese American National Museum this past weekend! And thanks to you, I knew what it was! It’s an interesting one that was made in the Japanese concentration camps here for men being sent off to war to fight for the US in WW2. It has a lovely sumie painting depicting a tiger on it as well. Photos will be posted on my blog today. It was really great to see one in person. Hope all is well with you!
Tokyo Station
Thank you for this historical write up and the great picture in the top! I just love this hotel and read / study whatever I can about it and its history. I would love to find some architectural drawings / elevation drawings of this beautiful building.
Matsushima Brothels
As I was looking for some information on Dotonbori I’ve stumbled across this amazing website researching Osaka’s urban history .
I hope it’ll add to your research as well :)
Off to War
Excellent article with some moving photos. Keep up the good work!
another wonderful post. the photographs… the faces. I did not know about senninbari at all but so very interesting. the videos too- i’d love to see that found film… Again- thank you!
Headman, Hunter, Fox
There is also a short description of the game in the book “We Japanese” by Frederic de Garis: Google Books
As always I’m in awe with the amount of research put in every article.
Very interesting! This inspired me to play paper rock scissors with the school children from work! I think it will be fun to teach them.
The "Human Horses" of the Rickshaw
Interesting about left side driving! I did not know that connection. The only places I’ve recently seen the jinrikisha are in Kamakura and Kyoto- of course high tourist destinations.
The three wheeled vehicles are still everywhere and and are so practical! I wish they were popular in US urban areas.
Ruins of the American Legation
@glennis: I wonder if the silks survived the rough handling during the fire. In his first letter, Pruyn wrote that many of the items were thrown in the pond to protect them from the flames, including the books and even boxes with paper money… As the samurai were familiar with silk, I would like to think they did not throw these in the pond as well!
a great and focused history lesson that tells us a lot about the culture of the time as well. You know I would be interested in the packing up of the silks! My next walk through the port area of Yokohama I will be reminded of this violent period in that area. Fascinating!
@Glennis: How cool! I didn’t realize these were also made in the U.S. Interesting.
I just had a look at the photo of the senninbari on your blog. It is a beauty.