"100 Views of Great Tokyo in the Shōwa Era" by Koizumi Kishio / kk006_1930_w102_drawbridge |
In March 1930, Tokyo celebrated the official completion of its reconstruction, following the 1923 earthquake. In
the days following the earthquake, Shibaura served as a landing place for incoming supplies and as a
departure point for refugees.
It is likely that Koizumi produced the print to acknowledge the newly established
Ten-Year Harbor Improvement Plan. Under the plan, Shibaura harbor would be dredged to allow ships of up
to five thousand tons access to the port; new sea walls would be built to provide berths for large steamships.
The ten-year plan would culminate in a grand exposition to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of the
imperial reign, highlighting the nation's place among the great world powers, and
serving as propaganda to promote the emperor and the nation.
Drawbridge at Shibaura (#6), September 1930
The Wolfsonian–FIU, Miami Beach, FL, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology © 2009 Visualizing Cultures Creative Commons License
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