The Unspeakable Darkness: The Rape of Nanking and the World’s Silence

Image: A Japanese soldier poses with the severed head of one of his victims. The Rape of Nanking, December 1937. The name Nanking, now the sprawling capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China, is forever etched with the indelible stain of one of the 20th century’s most horrific atrocities. In the winter of 1937, followingContinue reading “The Unspeakable Darkness: The Rape of Nanking and the World’s Silence”

“The Forgotten Holocaust”: Horrific Photos From The Rape Of Nanking, 1937-1938.

 Left: A Chinese woman is tied to a pole and forcibly kissed by a Japanese soldier. Right: Elsewhere, a man is left blindfolded and tied up. Both images were taken during the Rape of Nanking. “The Forgotten Holocaust”: Horrific Photos From The Rape Of Nanking, 1937-1938. These tragic photos and stories that capture the horrorsContinue reading ““The Forgotten Holocaust”: Horrific Photos From The Rape Of Nanking, 1937-1938.”

Japanese Americans: Incarceration in World War II

During World War II, the United States forcibly relocated and incarcerated at least 125,284 people of Japanese descent in 75 identified incarceration sites. Most lived on the Pacific Coast, in concentration camps in the western interior of the country. Approximately two-thirds of the inmates were United States citizens. These actions were initiated by President FranklinContinue reading “Japanese Americans: Incarceration in World War II”

The Nine-Fingered Geisha: 30 Vintage Portraits of Chishō Takaoka aka Teruha From the Early 20th Century

Chishō Takaoka (April 22, 1896 – October 22, 1994) was a geisha in Shinbashi who became a Buddhist nun later in life. Her stage name was Chiyoha or Teruha, while her real name was Tatsuko Takaoka. She became famous for her radiant beauty, and for chopping off one of her fingers for her lover. SheContinue reading “The Nine-Fingered Geisha: 30 Vintage Portraits of Chishō Takaoka aka Teruha From the Early 20th Century”

25 Fascinating Photographs Showing Rock Stars As Tourists in Japan During the 1970s and 1980s

When Led Zeppelin arrived in Japan for a 1971 tour less than two months before the release of their fourth album, it was a time of great excitement for the band and for rock ’n’ roll in the land of the rising sun. Zep was one of the first big Western groups to visit, andContinue reading “25 Fascinating Photographs Showing Rock Stars As Tourists in Japan During the 1970s and 1980s”

Young Japanese Women’s Fashion of the Late 1960s

After World War II, the strong influence from the United States caused Japanese ways of dressing to undergo a major transition, and people began to more readily follow the trends from the West. Japanese women were starting to replace the loose-fitting trousers called monpe, required wear for war-related work, with Western-style skirts. Whilst we’re byContinue reading “Young Japanese Women’s Fashion of the Late 1960s”

Shimada Hairstyle: The Lovely Traditional Hairdo of Japanese Women

The Shimada is a women’s hairstyle in Japan, similar to a chignon. Generally the hair is gathered together at the crown of the head and a small portion of the bun is sectioned off to point outward. This hairstyle was from the Edo period, and used still to this day. It became one of theContinue reading “Shimada Hairstyle: The Lovely Traditional Hairdo of Japanese Women”

41 Amazing Colorized Pictures Showing Life in Japan During the 19th Century

Felice Beato (1832-1909) was an Italian–British photographer. He was one of the first people to take photographs in East Asia and one of the first war photographers. He is noted for his genre works, portraits, and views and panoramas of the architecture and landscapes of Asia and the Mediterranean region. Beato’s travels gave him theContinue reading “41 Amazing Colorized Pictures Showing Life in Japan During the 19th Century”

35 Beautiful Photos Capture Daily Life of Yokosuka, Japan in the 1970s

Yokosuka (横須賀市, Yokosuka-shi) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of October 2017, the city has a population of 409,478, and a population density of 4,066 inhabitants per square kilometre (10,530/sq mi). The total area is 100.7 km2 (38.9 sq mi). Yokosuka is the 11th most populous city in the Greater Tokyo Area, andContinue reading “35 Beautiful Photos Capture Daily Life of Yokosuka, Japan in the 1970s”