Celebratory Propaganda

National Diet Building, 1895 & 1905

As the heart of government legislation, this building neighbored Hibiya Park and housed both the House of Representatives and House of Peers. The European-style wooden structure was a showpiece for Japanese modernity and proudly included in celebratory propaganda.

First Image: His Majesty the Commander in Chief's Triumphal Return to the Palace [Diet Building], June 1895. Ōban triptych woodblock print, unsigned.

Second Image: Photograph of the Japanese National Diet Building, 1905.

Great Triumphant Arch, Hibiya, 1895

Building make-shift triumphal arches became fashionable in Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895). The Tokyo Volunteer Society for the Emperor's Victorious Return built the Great Triumphant Arch next to the House of Peers (part of the National Diet) in Hibiya in 1895. 

At the time of the Russo-Japanese War Victorious Return celebration, this arch was no longer standing adjacent to Hibiya Park. Instead this became the site of the Hibiya riots.

First Image: Scenes of celebration (including the Imperial Palace Grounds and the Great Triumphal Arch with the Diet at its left), 1896.

Second Image: The Imperial carriages with the returning Admiral, passes through the triumphal arch welcomed by the citizens, 1895. Ōban triptych woodblock print, by Ogata Gekkō (1859–1920).

Third Image: Photograph of the Great Triumphal Arch looking towards Hibiya Park, with the National Diet Building at left. 1895

Hibiya Park, September 1905

The Hibiya riots lasted from September 5–7, 1905, and began here when protestors were denied entry to the park. They had planned an anti-Russo-Japanese War compensation protest, as fury over the terms of the Treaty of Portsmouth took hold of nationalist sentiments. The protestors believed that Japan, as the victors, had received poor terms in the treaty and that the nation deserved reparations from Russia. Though quelled by instating martial law, 17 people were killed, hundreds injured, and over 2,000 arrested.

By 1906, the tides of regular victory celebrations overpowered popular sentiments. The city of Tokyo turned Hibiya Park into a venue for the third home coming event to host Russo-Japanese War officers on May 5, 1906.

Triumphant Procession of Marshal-Admiral Togo, 1905

The Fūzoku gahō vividly colored illustration of Tōgō Heihachirō's fantastically decorated carriage contrasts with the elegant but simple carriage of the black and white photograph featured in the same issue (no. 328, November 10, 1905).

First Image: Marshal-Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō headed to the Imperial Palace from Shinbashi Station on October 22, 1905.

Second Image: Marshal-Admiral Tōgō's triumphant home coming.

Kyobashi Triumphal Arch, 1905

As one of the celebratory structures along the parade route, this arch was built in the traditional Japanese Kasuga-style. The pillars were colored in yellow, green, black, and white, with a hiwadabuki-style roof (made of a hinoki cypress bark skin). Fūzoku gahō notes that local businesses donated lights to decorate it.

Nihonbashi during Admiral Tōgō's Triumphal Parade,1905

The parade continued through the festively decorated Nihonbashi 4-chome on the day of Admiral Tōgō's triumphal parade, October 22, 1905.

Nihonbashi Triumphal Arch, 1905

The residents of the Nihonbashi district tried to live up to its reputation of being the city center with extravagant decorations. The contemporary graphic magazine Fūzoku gahō described this as a Gothic-style arch, which cost 2,000 yen and was decorated with cherry blossoms on the right pillar and a star on the left pillar, each wrapped in a laurel wreath. The frieze at its top was adorned with an anchor and horseshoe.

Victory Celebration in front of the Imperial Palace

As the parade progressed, the carriages approached the Seimon Ishibashi (Main Gate Stone Bridge) of the Imperial Palace. The crowds gathered in the outer grounds appear to have consisted of men, mostly dressed in formal haori and hakama. The event was also used as an excuse to advertise businesses. The banner in this picture reads "Victorious return celebration, dye wholesale business".

Victory Celebration, Seimon (Main Gate), Imperial Palace

Cheering crowds gathered along the street and students were stationed at key locations, welcoming back the admiral with roars of "banzai" on October 22, 1905. The group of girls (standing in a row at left in the painting) were probably from the First Girls' High School (as preorted on page 17 of Fūzoku gahō no. 328, November 10, 1905)

Imperial Palace

Built on the former site of Edo Castle, at the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace grounds are a vast network of walled moats and gates leading to the central kyūden (main palace)—the tallest structure seen beyond the double arch bridge in both images.

First Image: Tōshū Shōgetsu (active ca.1870–1900). Imperial Visit in the Phoenix Carriage, April 1890. Ōban triptych woodblock print.

Second Image: Mijubashi (at Imperial Palace), circa 1930s. Photopostcard.

Shinagawa Station

The first railway line in Japan ran between Shinbashi Station in Tokyo and Yokohama Station, having opened in September 1872. By the time Paul Woolf was regularly making the trip in 1906 there were several stops along the way. It was Kamata Station and its nearby gardens that occasionally enticed him to pause his journey, explore, and take some photographs. However, Shinagawa Station was the gateway to the Tokyo metropolis.

First Image: Shinagawa Station, late 19th century

Second Image: Tokyo Express-passing Kamata Station, June 17, 1906

Third Image: Japanese Railway carriages, June 17, 1906

Temple at Asakusa Park, March 30, 1906

Asakusa developed as a major entertainment district of Edo, the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. After the Meiji Restoration, the Tokyo Municipal Government requisitioned the temple land and turned it into a public park. Today the park remains a major attraction as the cultural heritage site of the Sensōji temple and grounds.

First Image: Temple at Asakusa Park

Second Image: Temple pigeons

Third Image: Temple pagoda

Ueno Park, April 1906

One of the most popular parks in Japan, and earliest having opened in 1876, triumphal celebrations permeated Ueno from its museum and zoo to the Shinobazu pond.

First and Second Image: Gate at Ueno Park

This location would have been near the entrance to the park (where the marker lays on the map). There had been an earlier green gate, seen in the third image, but it was likely to have been demolished after the November events of 1905. Meanwhile this more substantial gate would have been constructed just before Paul Woolf's visit for the April 1906 festivities.

Third Image: Great Green Gate at Ueno Park, November 1905

The local residents of the Shitaya district constructed this small flower garden and a gate decorated with vegetation.

Fourth Image: Cherry blossoms at Ueno Park

Ueno park has always been renown for its hanami (cherry-blossom viewing). This helped contribute to the area becoming one of the first parks in Japan even though the grounds were considered for a military hospital and cemetery. Today the park has about 1,200 trees, the majority of which are Yoshino Cherry.

Fourth Image: Anchors on the Edge of Shinobazu Pond

Anchors from the Chinese battleship Zhenyuan captured during the First Sino-Japanese War were displayed at Ueno Park. These anchors were standing during the Russo-Japanese War celebrations.

Kudan Park, April 1906

First Image: Temple garden, Kudan Park, April 20, 1906

Second Image: Hozuki (Chinese lantern plant ) vendor at Kudan Park, April 20, 1906

Third & Fourth Images: Bull cart and load near Kudan Park, Tokyo, April 4, 1906

In the fourth photograph can be seen a building in the background. It is the Japanese Imperial Army's Kaikōsha (officers' club) which was constructed in 1890. It was in use until the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.

Sumida River Area. April 21 & May 15, 1906

First Image: Ferry boat on Sumida River, April 21, 1906

Second Image: Ferry boat on Sumida River, Tokyo, May 15, 1906

The sign on the house reads "Sumida-Maru arrivals and departures."

Third Image: Japanese children, April 21, 1906

Fourth Image: Miss Prince of Tokyo Japan, 84 years of age, April 21, 1906

The exact locations are not clear but they are likely to be in Mukōjima along the eastern side of the Sumida river, east of Sensōji Temple, Asakusa.

Fifth Image: Japanese boat club on Sumida River, April 21, 1906

The scene may depict the opening ceremony of the Boat Club of the Tokyo Upper Commerce School, which is today's Hitotsubashi University.

Ginza 4-chome, April 30, 1906

First Image: Decorated Street Car in Tokyo

The clock tower in this photograph is likely to be Hattori Clock Store. Although there is no railway at this location on this map, Tokyo Railways began to operate between Shinbashi and Ueno traveling through Ginza 4-chome in 1903.

Second Image: Japanese advertising in Tokyo

A group of men carry banners advertising Meiji water for its detoxing medicinal quality and formalin soap. The same products are labeled on their happi coats.

To join the rank of civilized nations, the Japanese government promoted better hygiene with a heavy hand. By the time Paul Woolf visited Tokyo, Western-style soap had made inroads into the Japanese consumer market, replacing the traditional bag of rice bran.

Hanzomon (West Gate), Imperial Palace Grounds

The military review parade entered from the Hanzomon gate into the Imperial Palace grounds, went around the moat, and exited to Hibiya Park, where the parade ended.

Triumphant Return Military Review, April 30, 1906

These photographs show the dramatic scenes of a routine military review specially branded as a 'triumphal return' from the Russo-Japanese War. This boosted public interest and there was high attendance. The huge crowd led to every building along the parade was rented out for viewers, especially for better viewing of the Emperor's carriage.

Reportedly, over 120 military flags decorted the parade route. The event watchers are distinguished in the photographs by their traditional kimonos, a sign of their non-elite status in Meiji. The military officers are in their Western-style formal military uniforms.

Unlike the other photographs in the collection, Paul Woolf notes in his papers that these were all taken by A. L. J. Dewette—for whom no other information was shared.

Babasakimon Triumphal Arch, Imperial Palace Grounds

These two photographs were also taken by A. L. J. Dewette on April 30, 1906. In them is featured an 18-meter tall arch which was constructed at the Babasaki gate to the Imperial Palace in six days. Another small arch was constructed at the southern gate of Hibiya Park. They were illuminated nightly from April 20 until May 5.

War Bootie Displays, Imperial Palace Grounds

Many of the Russian armaments captured during the war were brought to Japan. The "balloon" (light air blimp) in the first photograph was reportedly captured on the way to Port Arthur. The Asahi shinbun also reported that 1150 swords, 85 lances, 70,000 shells, and 140 field battle canons were displayed on the Imperial Palace grounds inside the Basaki gate during the review.

First Image: Captured balloon, Tokyo, April 30, 1906

Second Image: Captured swords, lances and shells, May 5, 1906

Third Image: Captured small arms, May 5, 1906

Fourth Image: Captured guns, May 5, 1906

Fifth Image: Picture taken of the miitary Review held in Tokyo by A. L. J. Dewette, April 30, 1906

The Japanese government sold commemorative postcards during the festivities and by 4:00 am on the first day a crowd of buyers started gathering at some post offices. By 9:00 am they were sold out. At least ten police officers were dispatched to some of the major post offices to regulate the swelling crowd.

Yasukuni Shrine Festivities, April 30, 1906

Paul Wolf does not appear to have taken any photographs of the celebrations held at Yasukuni in 1906, and that he visited them is thus purely speculative. However, illustrations from Fuzoku Gaho help to visualize the scenes. A green globe-shaped gate was constructed at the shrine for the military review-related events. War booties were also displayed at the shrine, in addition to those at the Imperial Palace grounds.

The Meiji Emperor had founded Yasukuni shrine back in 1869 to commemorate the war dead in service of Japan. During the celebratory festival, the shrine designated a praying area for the families of deceased soldiers and the Ministry of the Military gifted them commemorative sweets packed in patriotic bags.

Third Image: 30th Anniversary of the Russo-Japanese War at Yasukuni Shrine, 1934

Today, Yasukuni shrine has been put in a controversial spotlight as convicted war criminals from World War II are enshrined there.

Shinbashi Station Arch

The terminal station of the first railway in Japan was both a practical and symbolic venue for Japanese modernity and political and economic achievements.

First Image: Triumphal Arch at Shinbashi Station, October 22, 1905. The admirals, led by Marshal-Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, arrived at Shinbashi Station from Yokohama for their visit to the Imperial Palace. They managed to navigate through waves of cheering swollen crowds, as reported in the Yomiuri shinbun the next day.

The Tokyo Council Society ordered Shimizu-gumi to constructed the 20-meter tall arch in honor of the war dead for 4,000 yen. Despite the similar look to the triumphal arch in Paris, this Japanese version was constructed of wood and painted with stucco. One hundred lights lit up the front facades, 50 candles decorated the interior and side walls, and 16 candles illuminated above the laurel wreaths.

The arch was only expected to last for barely one month, yet Paul Woolf documented it in situ in May.

Second Image: Arch at Shinbashi Station, May 5, 1906

Third & Fourth Images: Omatsuri Festival near Shinbashi Station, May 15, 1906

Omatsuri is a popular traditional Japanese cultural festival that celebrates community and pays respect to the gods.

Office of Sale and Frazar, Ltd. May 5, 1906

First Image: Office of Sale and Frazer, Ltd. Tokyo. May 5, 1906

It's not clear exactly where the office was located in the buildings pictured. The building with a domed turret is Mitsubishi. This district, however, is still the high-end office area near Tokyo Station.

Second Image: Hatoba (pier) boy in office compound SF. May 15, 1906.

Although no hint to who this boy may be, it is interesting to note that the photo is taken on the day of the Omatsuri festival—indicating his yukata (a light cotton kimono) may be for this special occasion.

To the East: Kameido Temple, May 15, 1906

The same day as the Omatsuri festival, Paul Woolf ventured east from the Sale & Frazar offices in central Tokyo, across the Sumida River, to visit Kameido temple and its beautiful gardens.

First and Second Images: Wisteria garden at Kameda [Kameido] temple.

Third Image: Drum bridge in the Wisteria Garden, Kameido.

Fourth Image: Omatsuri in Temple Grounds, Kameido.

Views of Kamata, 1906

Kamata was located along the train route between Shinbashi Station in Tokyo and Yokohama Station. Paul Woolf stopped at this location frequently as the garden was located near the station.

First Image: Wisteria and Peony garden at Kamata, May 6, 1906.

Second, Third, and Fourth Images: Iris gardens at Kamata, June 17, 1906.

Fifth Image: Arbor at Iris gardens at Kamata, June 17, 1906.

British Fleet Welcome Arch, July 12, 1906

The British were one of the closest Western allies of Japan at this time but, like most Westerners headed to Tokyo, they would arrive in the port of Yokohama before taking the train north to Shinbashi Station. Woolf's photograph show they still received an enthusiastic welcome when they left the station (in the background).

Tokyo Godown, July 1906

First Image: Canal near Sumida River, July 19, 1906

Second Image: Poling Lighters near Tokyo Godown, July 19, 1906. One of the boats has a sign that reads "Tsūun Maru," which was operated by Naikoku Tsūun Kaisha (Domestic Transport Co.).

Third Image: Loading lighters near Tokyo Godown, July 19, 1906.

Fourth Image: Basket wagon, Tokyo, July 19, 1906.

Bronze Statue of Commander Hirose Takeo, Manseibashi Station

This massive bronze statue of Imperial Japanese Navy Commander Hirose Takeo, killed in the line of duty during the Russo-Japanese War, creates an imposing eleven-meter-high (thirty-six-foot) edifice in front of the Manseibashi Station in 1910s Tokyo.

The statue, plopped right in front of the station, dwarfs the public strolling by. It commemorated Hirose as a “war god” (軍神). He had sacrificed his life searching for missing crew member Warrant Officer Sugino when their ship was scuttled (Sugino is depicted near the base of the monument). The statue was one of the first positioned in front of a rail station and not located in a public park or square.

Nogi Shrine (Jinja), 1934

General Nogi Maresuke (1849–1912), known for the capture of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, committed harakiri on the day of the Meiji Emperor's funeral, September 13, 1912. Crowds flocked to pay homage to the Nogi residence and the Nogi Shrine was constructed there in 1922. Although the shrine was burnt down in air raids in 1945, it was reconstructed in 1962 and still stands today.

First Image: The photograph shows the 22nd anniversary of the passing of "war god" General Nogi at the Nogi Shrine on September 13, 1934.

Second Image: The Residence of late General Nogi, Tokyo. A photo-postcard from the 1930s.

Third Image: General Nogi's Residence in Tokyo. A photo-postcard from the 1930s.

Mukōjima Hyakkaen Garden, 1934

The children in this photograph are looking at Tōgō chrysanthemums and Nogi orchids at the Mukōjima Hyakkaen Garden (which is noted for being created by a wealthy merchant and given to the public in 1938).

These flowers were named in honor of the Russo-Japanese War leaders Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō and General Nogi Maresuke in part because of how they arrived in Japan. Admiral Tōgō had brought back the seeds of this chrysanthemum from England when he and General Nogi accompanied Prince Komatsu Akihito (Higashifushimi) to attend the coronation of George V and Mary in 1911.

Admiral Tōgō Park, 1938

The park opened on November 10, 1938, at the former residence of Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō (1848–1934) to commemorate his great achievements. Mitsumasa Yonai, Minister of the Imperial Navy, attended the ceremony.

Yokohama Railway Station, 1905

Yokohama station could not handle the huge crowd, who flocked to the port city in October 1905 to view the fleet review. The platform was packed with an overflow of people, who could not board the train. Some gave up and walked home and others looked for overnight lodgings in vain. The Keihin Railway, which connects Yokohama and Shinbashi, Tokyo, reported 7,204 passengers on the 22nd, about three times that (22,478) on the 23rd, and corresponding revenue.

Fleet Review: October 23,1905

The victory ceremony of the Combined Fleets began in Tokyo Bay with a 19-gun salute on October 23, 1905. Naval ships, decorated all over, numbered close to two hundred and hoisted their navy flags at 8:00 am sharp. The colorful sight awed the spectators watching the event from their boats and onshore. The Meiji Emperor arrived from Tokyo for the occasion. An elbow-to-elbow crowd stayed in the area to watch the night illumination of the ships.

Foreign Cemetery, c. 1910

Situated on a bluff on the outskirts of the area once occupied by the Zotokuin temple, the cemetery was first used in February 1854 with the burial of American Robert Williams. The marine had been a member of Commodore Matthew Perry's crew who had died aboard the USS Mississippi. Though Williams and other members of Perry's crew would later be buried at Gyokusenji in Shimoda. The oldest gaijin (foreigners) buried here are two Russian marines who were killed in 1859.

Zotokuin Temple, c. 1900

A Buddhist temple in Yokohama, it was later moved after the great Kanto earthquake of 1920 to the Heiraku neighborhood of the city.

The Yokohama Cricket Grounds, April 6, 1906

Images: Cherry blossoms at the Yokohama Cricket Grounds, April 6, 1906.

Hanami is the popular pastime of cherry-blossom viewing that first became popular in Japan during the Heian period (794 –1185).

Cherry trees in Bluff Gardens, April 15, 1906

Yokohama Nursery Garden, April 15, 1906

Yokohama Outer Harbor from White Fence, April 29, 1906

Theater Street from Bridge, April 29, 1906

The location is at the entrance to Theater Street, flanked by two early department stores, Yokohamakan and Teikoku Shōhinkan (Imperial Merchandise Pavilion). The four story building behind it housed a beer hall.

Fishmonger on Bluff Road, April 29, 1906

First Image: Fish man on Bluff Road, Yokohama. April 29, 1906

Second Image (Map): The foreign settlement in Yokohama was called Bluff. A 1920 map of "Yokohama and Vicinity" (from the David Rumsey Map Center) identifies the street highlighted in purple on this map as the "Road to Bluff" and "Bluff Main Street." The area is called Yamate today.

Japanese fish (carp) during boys season, April 29, 1906

Koinobori (carps made of cloth) streamers are hoisted to celebrate boys' festival on May 5 each year.

The exact location is not clear but it looks like a backstreet of the Japanese district along Homura Road.

Gold fish and small tree for sale, May 3, 1906

The location is not exact - rather this is one of the small streets in the Homura Road area. This is the "Japanese district" among the foreign settlements in Yokohama. Honmura-dori in today's Chinatown.

The other business sign boards in Japanese advertise things such as "public bath", "ice", "salty rice crackers", and "araibari" (kimono laundry after undoing sewing). There are also English signs which read, in part, "Carpenter and General Contractor, Daiku Tora."

Ota Machi, May 12, 1906

First Image: Water cart on Otomachi [Ota Machi], May 12, 1906

Second Image: Oil cart, street in Yokohama. Though unclear, the street is believed to be in this general area.

Dining room at #43 Bluff, 1906

Near the Customs House, May 28, 1906

First Image: Water cart near Customs House, Yokohama, May 28, 1906

Second Image: Flowers in pots, Yokohama, Japan, May 28, 1906

Sales ＆ Frazer. Ltd. (lot 167), May 30, 1906

First Image: S.S. Wisconsin Decoration day from my office window.

Second Image: Boy with load of cotton.

Vendors along Honmura-dori, June 3, 1906

First Image: Flower vendor

Second Image: Ice cream man

These images are taken in the "Japanese district" among the foreign settlements in Yokohama. Today, Honmura-dori is in Chinatown.

S/S Shinano Maru leaving the pier, June 3, 1906

The Shinano Maru was a merchant ship built in Scotland for the Nippon Yūsen Kabushiki Kaisha shipping company (known as NYK) in 1900. During the Russo-Japanese War, she was outfitted as an armed merchantman and most significantly discovered the Russian fleet in the Tsushima Straight on the eve of the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905. After the war she reverted to civilian use.

British Hospital Grounds, June 3, 1906

Fourth Image: Yokohama Inner Harbor from the British Hospital.

German Hospital from #43, Yokohama, June 21, 1906

Flower vendor on Bluff Road, June 26, 1906

House building in Japan, June 29, 1906

The hat store at right in the photograph, named "The Fashionable," was managed by J. Martin and located at #55 Main Street. The building under renovation next door is the Anglo-Australian trading company Cocking & Co., and adjacent to that is the German trading company Illies.

 Samuel Cocking  (1845–1914) was a resident of Japan for 45 years and contributed to the development of photography in Japan.

An Overloaded horse, June 29, 1906.

A Japanese street at 6:00pm, June 29, 1906

Homura road ran through the heart of the Japanese district of Yokohama.

Loading Coal and Shinko-ya, July 1, 1906

First Image: a load of coal going to the Bluff, July 1, 1906.

Second Image: Shinko-ya (maker of figures out of rice paste), July 1, 1906.

The sweet is written as 新粉細工 in Japanese and is made of rice paste that is sculpted into animals and other figures.

Third Image: A modern day shinko-ya: Takashi Nakamura, owner of the Obamaya Confectionery Shop in Yoshikawa Ward, Joetsu City, Niigata, 2018.

Farms Just Outside Yokohama, July 1, 1906

First Image: Washing Dykon near Yokohama

Second and Third Images: Rice Paddies from "the forts"

Sprinkling streets with water buckets, July 3, 1906

The building with a triangular roof is a French exporter of raw silk, Barmont & Co., which was located at #183. The stone building across the street is the Russo-Chinese Bank located at #180. The picture was taken from Nippon-odori, the main street running from the Customs House to the Public Gardens and Cricket Grounds.

Tofu vendor on Bund, July 3, 1906

The picture was taken next to Peninsular ＆Oriental Steam Navigational Company (Parcel #15) while on the Bund (embankment).

Ama saki (sweet sake) vendor on Bund, Yokohama, July 3, 1906

Near the Club Hotel at parcel #5.

USS Raleigh, Yokohama, Japan, National Salute, July 4, 1906

Fifth Image: Cease firing, Yokohama.

Yachts from Club [Hotel], July 4, 1906

The Club Hotel was located at #5 along the Bund (embankment).

Yachts from the Bund, July 4, 1906

Boiler Boys on Bund, July 4, 1906

Grand Hotel, Yokohama, July 4, 1906

The Grand Hotel occupied parcels 18, 19, and 20 along the Bund.

Pipe cleaner on Bund, July 8, 1906