No doubt! I'm reminded of something that Lafcadio Hearn wrote about Japan over a century ago:
Quote: Every time you dare to look, something obliges you to buy it — unless, as may often happen, the smiling vendor invites your inspection of so many varieties of one article, each specially and all unspeakably desirable, that you flee away out of mere terror at your own impulses. The shopkeeper never asks you to buy; but his wares are enchanted, and if you once begin buying you are lost. Cheapness means only a temptation to commit bankruptcy; for the resources of irresistible artistic cheapness are inexhaustible. The largest steamer that crosses the Pacific could not contain what you wish to purchase.
Here's another one, mailed from Kobe to New Haven, Connecticut, on 22 May 1908. The writer of the card describes the photo thus: "These are two very typical Japanese faces, but better looking than most of them, for they are undeniably a homely race."
My latest acquisition: "A bit of old Japan transplanted to Potomac Park. The Misses Sumi and Sadi Tamura, daughters of Mr. Teijiro Tamura, former Third Secretary of the Japanese Embassy, out for an early morning stroll under the beautiful blossoming Japanese Cherry trees."
Here's a postcard written in Esperanto, mailed from Taihoku (Taipei, Taiwan, under Japanese rule) to Escondido, California, in 1914. The handwritten description of the image translates as: "Japanese women who are strolling by the river, cooling off on a summer evening, and the costumes are of an old type. Painted by Mr. Ikeda, Terukata, who is a young, well-known painter in our land." (This is my 1000th post!)
Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Stamp Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Stamp Community Family - All rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Stamp Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited. Privacy Policy / Terms of UseAdvertise Here
Posted 05/04/2019 12:05 am
