Saturday, May 25, 2024

Street Graphics of Tokyo - Part I

Prints on Paper

Marie-Therese Wisniowski


Introduction [1]
Destruction by an earthquake in 1923 and the U.S. fire bombing of 1945, meant that after the war years Toyko needed to rebuild. The capital's ancient sites were reconstructed, traditional in form, but their 'historic' status now lost in a city of constant reinvention. There appeared to be no thoughtful urban planning outside of the 'new and now', trends passed quickly, rebuilding was continual. Bullet trains glided over the Rainbow bridge to Tokyo Big Sight, a convention center constructed from inverted pyramids on an artificial island.

Bullet Train
Poster highlighting a bullet train.

Towering architectural facades are animated by 21st-century digital graphics. Giant images 'speak' through multiple sound systems to mass commuters in the streets below. The futuristic Los Angeles of the classic sci-fi move 'Blade Runner' was inspired by the intensely visual and ultra modern metropolis of Tokyo.

Poster Balade Runner
Poster of film, Blade Runner.


Street Graphics of Tokyo - Part I [1]


 Kanji Calligraphy Poster
'Courage,' Kanji Calligraphy Poster (Japanese Wall Art).

Paper Bag
A Cake Store Paper Carrier Bag.

Stamps
Japanese Stamps.

Flea Market Poster
Festival depicted on a flea-market poster.

Wanted POst A
Wanted Poster featring suspected Aum Sshinrikyo Cult Members.

Wanted Poster
Another Wanted Poster featuring suspected Aum Sshinrikyo Cult Members.

Tokyo Police
The cartoon mouse character, Pi-Po on this poster, represents the Tokyo police force.


Reference:
[1] B. Dawson, Street Graphics Tokyo, Thames & Hudson Ltd, London.

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