In the 1920s and 1930s, Japan embraced new forms of graphic design as waves of social change swept across the nation. This collection of 50 posters, magazine covers and advertisements offer a glimpse at some of the prevailing tendencies in a society transformed by the growth of modern industry and technology, the popularity of Western art and culture, and the emergence of leftist political thought.

“Buy Domestic!” poster, 1930
Cover of “Nippon” magazine issue #1, Oct 1934
“Fuji Weekly” cover, Oct 1930
Poster for Japan’s first national census, 1920
“Health for body and country” poster, c. 1930
Grand Nagoya Festival poster by Kenkichi Sugimoto, 1933
Kyoto Grand Exposition to Commemorate the Showa Imperial Coronation, 1928
Poster design by Shujiro Shimomura, 1928
“NAPF” (Nippona Artista Proleta Federacio) magazine cover, Feb 1931
“NAPF” (Nippona Artista Proleta Federacio) magazine covers: Sep 1931
“NAPF” (Nippona Artista Proleta Federacio) magazine covers: Oct 1931
“May 1″ movie poster by Hiromu Hara, 1928-1929
“Senki” magazine covers: Oct 1929
“Senki” magazine covers: Nov 1929
“Senki” magazine covers: May 1930
“Senki” magazine covers: Jan 1930
Cover of “Nippon” magazine issue #7, June 1936
Magazine ad for “Seishun Zukai” movie, 1931
“Affiches” magazine issue #2, Aug 1927
“Affiches” magazine issue #3, Sep 1927
“The Advertising World” magazine cover, Sep 1933
Book covers: “Modern Commercial Art,” 1928
“Kite” (Tako – 凧) by Takehisa Yumeji, 1926
Poster for 1940 Grand International Exposition of Japan (canceled due to war), 1938
Poster for the 1940 Olympic Games in Tokyo (canceled due to WWII), 1936 (by Hiromu Hara)
“The Advertising World” magazine cover, June 1926
“Reijin” sheet music cover, 1930
“Songs of Miss Nippon” sheet music cover, 1930
“Modern Tokyo” sheet music cover, 1929
Cover of “Nippon” magazine issue #2, Jan 1935
Poster for Shimadzu mannequin exhibition, 1935
Designs by Kurazo Murota: Poster, 1928
Designs by Kurazo Murota: Catalog cover, 1927
Poster for Tokyo Construction Fair, 1935
Cover of “Affiches” magazine issue #1, 1927
Magazine ads for movies: “Omohide Ooki Onna”, 1931
Magazine ads for movies: “Wakaki Hi no Kangeki,” 1931
Magazine ads for movies: “Chuya Gyojoki,” 1931
Magazine ads for movies: “Shukujo Club,” 1931
“Young Miss” (Ojo-san) movie poster, 1930
“Fuji Weekly” cover, Aug 1930
Poster for “Volga” and “College Life,” 1930
Poster for “Kriemhild’s Revenge,” 1925
Nikke business clothing poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1931
Nikke sports coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1931
Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1936
Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1936
Nikke coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937
Nikke summer clothing poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937
Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937

[Source: "Modernism on Paper: Japanese Graphic Design of the 1920s-30s", (published 2003)]

Reblogged from http://pinktentacle.com

Via @lemarais