There was a time when sumo wrestlers and kimono-clad ladies made shipping companies look beautiful.
Compared to the noisy, hashtag-laden advertising that bombards us today, hand-painted advertisements like these have a beautifully serene quality to them. This collection, which spans three eras, from late Meiji (1868–1912) to Taisho (1912–1926) and the early Showa period (1926–1989), takes us back to a time when grand steamships and passenger cargo liners were synonymous with strength, romance and adventure. So it’s fitting that they feature pretty women in kimono and a sumo wrestler straddling two continents.
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916
This collection of posters appeared in the book Miwaku no Funatabi, published by the Museum of Maritime Science in 1993.
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916
The posters feature a number of ladies holding binoculars, invoking visions of unusual sights and faraway lands.
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1909
▼ Oriental Steamship Co., 1914
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1912
▼ Oriental Steamship Co., 1919 (Chinese poster)
Back in the early 20th century, mail also travelled by ship, covering domestic and international routes.
▼ Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1928-1930
▼ Korean Mail Steamship Co., 1918
▼ Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1914
▼ Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1910
The route for this steamship covered Hokkaido and the northern islands which were once in Japan’s territory. Sakhalin, the island on the top left, was seized by Russia near the end of World War II and the islands on the right remain disputed territories in the Kuril Island chain.
▼ Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1909
The “Three Sisters”, Nitta Maru, Yawata Maru and Kasuga Maru, were originally designed as passenger ships but were converted into warships in the 1940s. All three vessels were destroyed during the war.
▼ Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1940
These posters remain an intriguing and important insight into pre-war Japan. Studying a culture and a time in a nation’s history through its printed advertisements can truly be an eye-opening experience.
▼ Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1909
Source and Images: Japaaan
These posters from the Taisho and Showa Eras are simply gorgeous!
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
Can putting a giant dragonfly on your head repel bugs?
Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
Reveal your inner fashion samurai with traditional clothes for the modern world
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says