Thursday, September 25, 2008

Showa Period Life (1926-1989)


Mayu sits waiting on a Showa Street

The Fukui Prefectural Museum has an art display showing a lot of goods from the Showa Period in Japan. We visited the other day and looked through the tiny museum. It was very interesting. I took a few photos of stuff that I thought you might find interesting to see, as it depicts MY life, as it was 20 years ago.

In fact, I arrived in Japan in 1989, the last year of Showa, when emperor Hirohito died.

If you would like to read more about what went on during this Showa Period (Emperor Hirohito, and the first emperor to lose his Godhood when the Americans occupied the country after the war), please visit this Showa Period link to Wikipedia. It has some good information.

I love you!

Cam

P.S. All photos were taken with my keitai (cell phone) as I didn't bring my camera, thinking that pictures would not be allowed (as is usually the case).

30 comments:

  1. Which way is the entry door?
    Is the screen in front of it or just standing there in the middle of the genkan?

    What is it for?

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  2. I am standing a the entry, looking into the house. The doors behind the screen lead into the house (this is a rural house, by the way).

    The origin of the screen is actually to block bad spirits from entering. According to Japanese custom, evil spirits can only travel in a straight line, so if these screens are present in front of an open door, the ghosts cannot tell that there is an opening, and therefore they cannot enter.

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  3. That photo would make an EXCELLENT book cover.

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  4. It's a little like a film set for a Japanese version of Happy Days or the Wonder Years.

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  5. Deb - I was tempted to call this "Waiting on the world to change". It's a song by Jeb Loy Nichols (I think), that Jen introduced me to. A very good song....

    Thanks for the compliment!

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  6. Sorry, Sweety... correction

    John Mayer

    I introduce you to so much it's easy to get them mixed up
    Jebloy, John, Dave Matthews, Amos Lee, ... have i told you about Citizen Cope yet?

    Don't think so... he's another in that singer-song writer core i enjoy so much.

    I do love that picture of Mayu...

    In the tiny thumbnail i thought it was an exhibit. She's sitting so still and it's so empty there.

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  7. Oh well... can't win them all. Thanks for the correction, Jen. And for the compliment!

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  8. Looks like a few places I still frequent here in California...

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  9. From what I've seen of your photos here, the Showa period lives on here in California Japanese culture. When I have time, I'll follow the link back to the Wiki page you referenced. Very interesting, Cam!

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  10. Song by John Myers, Wouk..


    and... I love Mayu's shoes!!

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  11. Hey.. this reminds me of that place where we ate with my dad!

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  12. Of course you have!! It's only 20 years old!

    I find it kinda odd that they have a museum of stuff... from... 20 years ago.


    *blink blink*

    if they did that here... they could just open up my across the street neighbor's home... and charge admission.... it's a time warp to the 70's over there.

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  13. Actually it's more representative of 50s and 60s decor...

    I think some people just hung on to it ... for far too long...Yikes!

    Though it is seeing a resurgence in home decor again... hmmm... not feelin it.
    Been there done that, yanno?

    Dark paneling... ugh!

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  14. Love the photos and the style, except the dark paneling.

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  15. Our former home had mud and thatch walls, but the one before that was loaded with that dark paneling. And the sliding doors and thin plate glass frosted windows in wooden frames just like that. Those doors don't keep out sub freezing temperatures, let me tell you!

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  16. Jal - If only the legs had a little more shape to them...

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  17. Those pictures of the house look like my in-laws house. A lot still hasn't changed much in Japan.

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  18. i re4mebr thse dolls...inflated plastic..lol

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  19. Jools - Since my forum is totally open to discuss anything and everything, I am sure you will find some people who are very interested in further discussing your "inflatable doll" preferences with you! Have at her, gang! I love you!

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  20. Cam, wonder if the dolls frist name is John....lol.

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  21. looks like your phone camera did a fine job.

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  22. Crystal - The only problem is I have to email the photos to myself every damn time!

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