Japan before war: 14 hand-colored postcards

These pictures were taken during the period preceding the biggest natural disaster in this area — the Great Kanto earthquake (with a magnitude of 7.9 points!), that caused huge damage to local villages.

Thanks to modern technologies we can take a unique glimpse to Tokyo and Yokohama from 1907 to 1922. More pictures are available at New York Public Library’s Digital Collections.

Yokohama, 100 stone steps (1907-1918)

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

The Omotemon — the main gate to Tōshō-gū temple

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Osaka, high lantern of Sumiyoshi (1907-1918)

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Tokyo, Hanayashiki of Asakusa

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Nikko, Yomeimon

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Tokyo, the Asakusa Park

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Tokyo, cherry blossom at Mukojima

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Tokyo, Iris garden at Horikiri

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Mihoto and Inukimon, Nikko

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Tokyo, Nihonbashi dori

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Nikko, the pagoda of Toshogu

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Osaka, Toyokuni Shrine Nakanoshima

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Nikko, Sacred bridge

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Yokohama, Theatre street

Photo: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Preview: From The New York Public Library (Free to use without restriction)

Based on: curioctopus.guru