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!
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
New Wet Rice Cracker Burger from Dom Dom breathes new life into a “miracle” snack
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Watch a sumo bout inside Tokyo Tower, at a new restaurant endorsed by two yokozuna
Krispy Kreme Japan is baking up two new donuts that you can only get at one spot in the country
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】