Vanishing Japan
Much of the material in this book appeared in different form as a series of articles in the Mainichi Daily News, 1988-93. All twentieth-century Japanese names are in Western order; all earlier names are in traditional order, surname first.
During the period 1988-93 the exchange rate for Japanese yen was approximately 120 Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar.
Published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan
with editorial offices at
Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032
© 1995 by Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Co., Inc.
All rights reserved
LCC Card No. 95-60448
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0427-3 (ebook)
First edition, 1995
Printed in Japan
Contents
| Foreword | by Donald Richie 7 | |
| 1 • On the Street | ||
| Publicity Bands | Chiindonya | 14 |
| Candy Animals | Amezaiku | 18 |
| Picture Theater | Kamishibai | 22 |
| Potato Vendors | Yakiimoya | 26 |
| Pipe Cleaners | Raoya | 30 |
| Shoe Shiners | Kutsumigaki | 34 |
| 2 • Housing and Interiors | ||
| Natural Tatami | Tatami | 40 |
| Interior Woodworkers | Tateguya | 44 |
| Bamboo Blinds | Sudare | 48 |
| Tile Roofs | Kawara | 52 |
| Thatched Roofs | Kayabuki Yane | 56 |
| Wooden Apartments | Nagaya | 59 |
| 3 • Artisans and Crafts | ||
| Clogs | Geta | 64 |
| The Fire Brigade | Hikeshi | 68 |
| Perfection of Skill | Kijishi | 72 |
| Japanese Umbrellas | Wagasa | 76 |
| Cotton Kimono | Yukata | 80 |
| Edo-Style Joiners | Edo Sashimono | 84 |
| Portable-Shrine Maker | Miyashi | 88 |
| Woodblock Prints | Ukiyoe | 92 |
| Name Stickers | Senjafuda | 96 |
| Edo Taste | Kokan Nosatsu | 100 |
| Paper Mounters | Hyogushi | 104 |
| Local Laborers | Tobishoku | 108 |
| Handmade Paper | Washi | 112 |
| Votive Plaques | E ma |
