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Theatre Street in Kobe, c. 1920 -

The 1920s were a period of modernization in Japan. New cultural and political ideas were being introduced, creating an interesting contrast to the traditional ways of life there.

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A Tokyo department store, c. 1920 -

Shop attendants wait by the elevators to assist customers at an up-market department store in Tokyo. Both their uniforms and the store's interior design reflect the change from traditional Japanese style.

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A mother and son in Tokyo, c. 1927 -

Here a Japanese women in a traditional kimono walks with her son, who is dressed in a Western-style sailor suit.

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The women's suffrage movement, c. 1920 -

The women’s suffrage movement also blossomed during this time. Although a woman’s right to vote was not fully accepted in Japan until 1946, the activists of this period were instrumental in overturning the archaic laws.

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Women in the workforce, 1921 -

Women of the 1920s also challenged traditions by entering the workforce in much greater numbers, asserting their financial independence.

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Graduation at a women's university, 1920 -

Female students are seen here taking part in their graduation ceremony at the Ochanomizu Hanayome School, a women's university in Tokyo. The original building was later destroyed by the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923.

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Girls during the flu epidemic, c.1 920 -

The "Spanish flu" epidemic was still raging in 1920 after the end of World War I. As can be seen here, masks were used as a protective measure against the spread of the deadly influenza.

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Tokyo Station, c. 1920 -

Tokyo Station was opened in 1914 and was more than 1,000 feet (330 meters) long. It is the central hub of Japan's extensive railway system.

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A train carriage, c. 1925 -

Japanese dignitaries photographed traveling by train around 1925. They are all dressed in Western style, identical to the clothing you would find British men wearing during this period.

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The Great Kantō earthquake, 1923 -

On September 1, 1923, a powerful earthquake struck Japan. It measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and destroyed much of the city of Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding area. The initial impact was followed by a 40-foot-high (12 meter) tsunami.

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The Great Kantō earthquake, 1923 -

Following the waves, fires broke out and ravaged the wooden structures of Tokyo and Yokohama. There was even a 'fire tornado.' An estimated 150,000 people were killed and 600,000 were left homeless.

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Women traveling with a cart, c. 1920 -

Three generations of women pull and push their cart along the road. Many families were displaced after the terrible earthquake in 1923 and had few possessions left to take with them.

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Man pulling cart, c. 1921 -

An American author named Julian Leonard Street visited Japan in the 1920s, where he recorded his observations for the book 'Mysterious Japan.' He wrote that, "The Japanese are not slave to possessions. Most can move house by hand-cart."

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The Imperial Hotel, 1923 -

The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo was built in 1890, but was redesigned by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923. The Imperial Palace commissioned the hotel to host the increasing numbers of esteemed international visitors coming to Japan. The Great Kantō earthquake struck the very day of its opening, but the building survived with minimal damage.

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Immigrant children on a boat to San Francisco, c. 1920 -

These young children were photographed aboard the Shinyo Maru, a large ship that would later be known as a 'hell ship.' This name is given to vessels that have a reputation for inhuman conditions and cruelty from the crew.

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Farm workers, c. 1920 -

Traditional industries still dominated in rural areas. Here we see two generations of women working to remove worm cocoons from rice stalks.

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Digging for clams, 1921 -

A mother and son photographed digging for clams in Tokyo Bay at low tide. This practice is called Shiohigari, and Japanese families still go to the shore to gather clams together in the summer months.

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Tai-no-ura Bay, 1921 -

Tai-no-ura Bay is a famous spot in the Nagasaki region. The name means "Bay of Sea Breams," and it's so called because of the phenomena that occurs there. Sea bream are usually deep water fish, but they have made their home in this shallow bay for reasons scientists have yet to explain.

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Math class, c. 1920 -

Thanks to the modernization of Japan, schooling was temporarily adapted to the more modern Montessori style in the 1920s. Unfortunately, a strong military and nationalistic regime returned in the 1930s.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace, c.1925 -

A traffic cop stands at the entrance to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The sign to his left reads "No Commercial Vehicles Allowed. Speed Limit 10 miles per hour."

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Prince Takamatsu and his bride, 1928 -

Photographed here are the Emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, and his new wife, Miss Tokugawa Kikuko, on the day of their wedding in 1928. They are wearing full imperial court dress, which for women includes a 12-layer outfit.

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Elderly farmer, c.1925 -

An elderly Japanese farmer sits and smokes on the porch. He wears his hair in the traditional chonmange style, also known as the samurai top knot. The top of the head is shaved and the rest of the hair is gathered in a knot at the back of the head. The hair sticking out of the knot is usually shaped with oil and lies across the top of the head.

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A family in traditional dress, 1920 -

A Japanese woman and her six children are seen here in full traditional dress. She and her eldest son are wearing geta, a wooden sandal elevated by thin blocks.

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A woman practices calligraphy, c. 1920 -

A young woman in a kimono practices the traditional art form of calligraphy. This artistic form of writing uses a special brush and ink on handmade paper.

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The song-bird shop, c. 1925 -

Female customers in kimonos peruse the wares at a shop that sells song-birds and ornate cages.

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A lunchtime photoshoot, c. 1925 -

A group of friends in traditional dress pose for the camera while eating noodles in a local restaurant.

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Koshien Stadium, 1920 -

Baseball was introduced to Japan in 1872. The first professional teams started to emerge in the 1920s, and it's one of Japan's most popular sports today. This photo shows a high school game at the Koshien Stadium in Osaka.

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Mother and son having lunch, c. 1925 -

A mother and son are served rice by a waitress at a restaurant. It's traditional to eat at low tables while sitting on the floor.

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A Tokyo creche, c. 1920 -

Wealthy women could leave their children in creches in the care of paediatric nurses, who dressed in traditional kimonos.

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Geishas at Miyajima Island, c.1920 -

These two geishas were photographed strolling by the water on Miyajima Island. Traditional 'Torii' gates can be seen rising out of the water behind them.

Sources: (Facing History and Ourselves) (Smithsonian Magazine) 

See also: Rare vintage photos of New York City

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