[US OCCUPATION INTEREST]. THE SHINSEKAI TSUSHIN SHA.

[連合国占領下の東京とその周辺地域のアルバム]. [Rengōkoku senryōka no Tōkyō to sono shūhen chiiki no Arubamu].
[Scenes from Tokyo and Japan in the Allied Occupation Period].

[Tokyo]. 新世界通信社. [Shinsekai Tsūshinsha]. Circa [ 1946]. Stock ID #224036

Twenty three black and white fine photographs tipped in on twenty thick black card sheets each captioned in English and presented in a silk covered album with tassel ties. Fifteen of the photographs measure13.5 x 20cm, with the rest 7.5 x 13cm approximately. Some light silvering on photographs but overall both the photographs and album are in very good condition. A handsome, rare example of a album apparently issued by a Japanese company for US forces in Occupied Japan.

This rare photographic album was published by Shinsekai Tsushin Sha (新世界通信社) soon after the Allied Occupation of Japan began. The scenes depicted are mainly from Tokyo, where the occupation headquarters were located and American troops were concentrated, but the album also includes photographs of scenic spots popular with the occupation forces, including Nikko, the Great Buddha of Kamakura, and the ski resort of Zao in midwinter. There are also photographs of traditional Japanese cultural events, including a tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and a Noh theatre performance.

One image, captioned “Shopping”, depicts a young man in Allied forces uniform who appears to be one of the many Japanese American servicemen who took part in the occupation. He is shown examining items for sale in an ornately decorated Japanese souvenir store, while a young Japanese woman, reflected in a mirror, looks on from behind.

The album opens with an image of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Yokohama, also known as Yamate Catholic Church, in the morning light, captioned “Morning Meditation”. Other photographs feature major buildings connected with the Allied presence in Tokyo, including the General Headquarters site in Marunouchi, the JOAK (Radio Tokyo) and WVTR (the American Armed Forces Radio) building, and St Luke’s Hospital.

Interesting details in the Tokyo photographs include a view of central Ginza showing the Mitsukoshi Department Store under reconstruction, following wartime bomb damage, and the Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre at night, vividly emblazoned in neon lights with the words “Ernie Pyle”. During the occupation, US authorities requisitioned the theatre and renamed it the Ernie Pyle Theatre, in commemoration of the Pulitzer Prize-winning war journalist who had been killed on 18 April 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa. It became the main venue for theatre and cabaret performances attended by members of the occupation forces, before being returned to Japanese ownership and reverting to its original name in 1955.

Other signs of Western cultural influence include two photographs of a performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Imperial Theatre (Teikoku Gekijo) in Tokyo. American Army jeeps also feature prominently in some photographs.

The mood of the album is resolutely upbeat, focusing on images of peace and reconstruction. One photograph shows American and Japanese children playing together, captioned “Kids: ‘What’s going on?’”, suggesting hope for a peaceful future.

Shinsekai Tsushin Sha was a publishing company founded during the Occupation period. It produced maps, guidebooks and other material aimed particularly at the Allied military and civilian personnel who came to Japan during these years. The photographs in this volume are captioned in English and were clearly taken by a skilled professional photographer, although the photographer is not named.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 224036.

Price: $3,750.00 AU

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