❤ donatesubscribe
70518-0030 - Japanese Firefighters, 1920s

Tokyo, 1920s
Dezome-shiki

Artist Unknown
Publisher Unknown
Medium Postcard
Period Taisho
Location Tokyo
Image No. 70518-0030
Purchase Digital File
Author

Firefighters in happi coats perform acrobatic stunts on top of bamboo ladders. The ladder stunts were the main event of Japanese New Year celebrations.

The demonstrations, called dezome-shiki, were intended to warn people of the dangers of fire, and to demonstrate the agility and courage of the firefighters.

For detailed information about fires in Japan, read Yokohama, 1890s • Dezome-shiki.

Published
Updated

Leave a Comment

Reader Supported

Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.

To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.

I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.

Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.

Thank you,
Kjeld Duits

support

Reference for Citations

Duits, Kjeld (). Tokyo, 1920s: Dezome-shiki, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on October 7, 2025 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/685/tokyo-1920s-dezome-shiki

Explore More

…

Kobe, 1906
New Year Celebrations 17

Another traditional New Year’s event that has almost completely disappeared, flying kites.

…

Kobe, 1906
New Year Celebrations 9

The first meal of the year, includes a soup called zoni, which features mochi rice cakes.

…

Okayama 1935
Practicing Naginata

Japanese school girls practicing naginata (薙刀), a pole weapon traditionally used by members of the samurai class. It consists of a wooden shaft with a curved blade on the end.

Add Comment

There are currently no comments on this article.