Last weekend was the big used book sale in my town. I scoured the tables, gathering books to use for ephemera projects, and stumbled upon this treasure.
I was instantly captivated by the illustrations by artist Taro Kurotani. I can’t find much biographic information about him, but the drawings are lovely, and too nice for me to consider cutting this up for craft projects.
The book itself, published in 1968, has some sections that are slightly more progressive than I might have expected.
“Japan: Islands of the Rising Sun introduces the reader to the beautiful and busy islands of Japan, and to their people – at home, at school, at work, and at play. The past is sketched in, with emphasis on influences that have shaped today’s patterns of living. The old-world charm of kimono-clad ladies, quiet gardens, dashing samurai warriors, and colorful festivals is not forgotten. But the heart of the book is the life of today, seen from the point of view of young Japanese.”
Embracing tradition, but also modernity. Okay. There are possibilities there.
And I love the endpapers. Wish I could frame this map!
There are some, however, examples of Japanese progress that are questionable at best.
“New, industrial Japan arose from the ashes of the old.”
Ahh, progress. Smokestacks surely mean progress.
“The end of World War II saw Japan with her cities destroyed, her homes and factories in ruins, her army and navy disbanded in defeat…It seemed a sad time for Japan.”
Okay, why is Japan a woman?? But never fear.
“The Japanese wasted little time feeling sorry for themselves. Instead they went to work, with the aid of the Americans. In record time the burned cities were rebuilt…Factories were rebuilt, larger and more efficient than before. Whole new industries were developed.”
Feeling sorry for themselves? What? Oh dear.
At the same time, some of the vintage photos are awesome, and so 60s.
This photo broke my heart a bit.
“People of the city of Sendai decorate their gardens and streets for Tanabata in honor of the star lovers.”
Sendai is apparently well known for this festival, honoring lovers able to meet only once a year.
Tanabata (七夕?, meaning “Evening of the seventh”) is a Japanese star festival, originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). According to legend, the Milky Way, a river of stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The celebration is held at night. (via)
Let us hope that as Sendai and Japan recover, the Tanabata festival gives people hope for the future of the region.
