Photos of Japanese city scenes in the 1950s

[jbbrown]

I am looking for photos of Japanese city scenes which especially show signage (store signs, advertising signs, etc.) to compare with similar scenes of today. Does anyone know where I can find them?
Thanks!

[Doug M]

Well JB, the first place I would look is our own History of Japan photo gallery (http://www.japan-101.com/photos/index.php?c=150), but then I am a bit bias. :smile:

You have a very specific request, city scapes with sinage in 1950, hmmm. That is tough. I doubt you'll find a single resource for this type of photo hence you'll need to scour the web in search images which fit this profile.

Here's a couple for you:
http://www.paulnoll.com/Korea/581-Sig/581-Japan-Yokohama.html
http://www.paulnoll.com/Korea/581-Sig/581-Japan-Yokohama-Fuke.html

You'll find that historic images of Japan (which I have searched for often) will be plentiful in 1945 and 1946, can you guess why? In the late 50's and 60's they pick up again. I'm only speaking of images found on the web of course and if you can search Japanese pages your results will be better.

In trade, I'll turn up a few more pictures for you if you tell me why you are seeking them. It is an odd request so my interest is peaked.

[jbbrown]

Hi,
Yes, I did look through all of the pictures in the History of Japan Photo Gallery, but none of them was what I am looking for.
The reason I want them is to confirm that the number of signs which contain KATAKANA has increased over the years. It is my contention that almost all of the new words to enter the Japanese language these days are written in KATAKANA -- either gairaigo or native constructions (like KONBINI) which have their roots in borrowed words. I believe that this intrusion, if you want to call it that, shows remarkable parallels to the changes that English experienced after 1066 as a result of the "intrusion" of French. The difference is that the change in English -- from Old English (which is illegible to modern English speakers) to Middle English which is more or less legible -- took about 400 years while the change in Japanese is happening at a much faster pace.
I could go on and on and probably bore you to tears, but that is the gist of what I am looking into these days.
Thanks a lot for your help. I will check out the links you sent me.
JB

[deadhippo]

You may find some at this site - PHoto Japan (http://photojapan.com/index.htm/home.html)
they have a vintage section

[jbbrown]

Thank you "DEADHIPPO"! I have seen those photos.
JB

[deadhippo]

Thank you "DEADHIPPO"! I have seen those photos.
JB
no problem...glad to be of help

[Doug M]

As promised, here are a couple more.

http://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/magazine/jmemory/0504/jm_504_050429.htm
http://www.roppongi.jp/minato/

These are tough to find.

[jbbrown]

They ARE hard to find. I think I should probably change the focus of my search and look at old magazines or newspapers or something.... boooorrrriiiinggg!
Thanks guys! Appreciate it.
JB

[Doug M]

Maybe you should look at old products, consumer goods, company logos, etc. These would be much easier to come by I think.

[jbbrown]

Thanks! Company logos might be good as they probably have some sort of "Our Company in History" page on their website..... or maybe not.... I'll check it out.
Thanks again.
JB