Here are a few manner posters that appeared in the Tokyo subways between 1976 and 1982.
Three annoying train monsters (October 1982)
The three annoying train monsters shown in the poster are Nesshii (the sleeping monster), Asshii (the leg-crossing monster), and Shinbunshii (the newspaper-reading monster).
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Don't throw chewing gum on the platform (September 1976)
Even Superman is no match for chewing gum discarded on the train platform.
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The Seat Monopolizer (July 1976)
Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," this poster encourages passengers not to take up more seat space than necessary.
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Don't forget your umbrella (June 1977)
This poster of the high-class courtesan Agemaki (from the kabuki play "Sukeroku"), whose captivating beauty was said to make men forgetful, is meant to remind passengers to take their umbrellas when they leave the train.
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Space Invader (March 1979)
This 1979 poster pays tribute to the extremely popular Space Invaders video arcade game and encourages passengers to read their newspapers without invading the space of other passengers.
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Isami-ashi: Wait behind the white line (May 1979)
The image of sumo wrestlers locked in combat serves as a reminder for passengers to stand safely behind the white line when waiting for the train.
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Don't forget your umbrella (October 1981)
The text at the top of this poster -- which shows Jesus overwhelmed with umbrellas at the Last Supper -- reads "Kasane-gasane no kami-danomi" (lit. "Wishing to God again and again"). The poster makes a play on the words "kasa" (umbrella) and "kasane-gasane" (again and again).
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Shimatta (March 1977)
This poster warns passengers against getting their shoulder bags caught in the train doors.
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Coughing on the platform (January 1979)
Modeled after the paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, this poster -- titled "Hōmu de Concon" (coughing on the platform) -- urges people not to smoke on the train platforms during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The poster makes a play on the words "concon" (coughing sound) and "cancan" (French chorus line dance).
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Dream at home (December 1981)
This poster, which features Doraemon dressed as Santa, encourages Christmas and end-of-year drunks not to pass out on the train.
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The Non-Thinker (May 1981)
The image of a cross-legged version of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" aims to encourage passengers to sit in a way that is considerate of other passengers.
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Kappa, (August 1979)
The image of a kappa (river imp) against a backdrop of lit cigarettes serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The text at the top of the poster reads "Gaman gurai wa he no kappa," which translates loosely as "waiting is no big deal."
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Umbrellas left behind in the subway (June 1976)
This Marilyn Monroe poster aims to remind passengers to take their umbrellas with them when they leave the train. The text in the top right corner -- "Kaerazaru kasa" (umbrella of no return) -- is a play on "Kaerazaru Kawa," the Japanese title for "River of No Return," the 1954 movie starring Monroe.
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I'll stand up (July 1979)
Uesugi Teppei, a character from the popular manga "Ore wa Teppei," offers to give up his seat to the elderly and infirm.
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Do not rush onto the train (April 1979)
This poster advises passengers not to rush onto the train at the last moment. The text (かけこみ禁寺) is a play on the words かけこみ禁止 (kakekomi kinshi - "don't rush onto the train") and かけこみ寺 (Kakekomi-dera - Kakekomi temple), which has long been known as a sanctuary for married women fleeing their husbands.
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Clearly show your train pass (September 1978)
The image of Napoleon holding a partially concealed train pass is meant to remind passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant when passing through the gates. The dictionary page in the background appears to be a reference to Napoleon's famous quote, "The word 'impossible' is not in my dictionary."
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Humans are forgetful (February 1976)
This poster, which reminds passengers to take their belongings when they leave the train, shows Astro Boy returning a forgotten hat and umbrella to his creator, Osamu Tezuka.
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When the bell chimes, it's too late (April 1977)
This poster, which depicts Cinderella rushing from the ball at the stroke of midnight, is meant to warn passengers against the danger of trying to rush into the train after the departure chime sounds.
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Mary is tired (December 1977)
The image of Mary carrying baby Jesus aims to encourage passengers to give up their seats to mothers with small children.
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No smoking during non-smoking hours (October 1980)
The "Journey to the West" monkey urges passengers not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).
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You've had too much to drink (October 1976)
This October 1976 poster of a drinking Santa is addressed to the drunks on the train. The text, loosely translated, reads: "I look like Santa because you've had too much to drink. It's only October. If you drink, be considerate of the other passengers."
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Wasureemon (June 1980)
Doraemon offers a friendly reminder not to forget your umbrella. The text at the bottom is a suggestion to write your name, address and company name (or school name) on your possessions.
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Marcel Marceau (October 1978)
Marcel Marceau gestures toward a priority seat reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.
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I stepped in gum (March 1980)
The image of a cat stepping in gum is a playful twist on the popular children's song "Neko Funjatta" ("I Stepped on a Cat").
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Clearly show your train pass (September 1976)
This poster is a reminder for passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant, even when they fly like Superman through the ticket gates.
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Please open it (July 1977)
This poster of a melting snowman aims to encourage passengers seated near a window to let cool air in when it is hot inside.
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Non-smoking Time (November 1982)
The image of John Wayne on a mock cover of Time magazine serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).
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[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Laura
Wow...these are FASCINATING!
Interesting to see the mishmash of cultural references and, although most of the messages are still they same, so different from the posters of the last decade or so.
[ ]AdTimes
Congratulations
Wonderful post!
[ ]Joel
Beautiful! Just Beautiful! Sooo much creativity... and these are just subways posters lol
[ ]Stormchild
These are freakin awesome!
[ ]Chris
Absolutely brilliant. I love how some of these play on such well known images/concepts to completely change their significance; particularly the Napoleon poster.
Even though some of them are pretty cheesey I think I'd still feel inclined to pay them due attention if I saw them nowadays!
Grreat collection, and great post!
[ ]Mike
Great stuff Ed! You're becoming quite the authority on vintage Japan :).
[ ]Lori
Ed,
These are really hilarious! Hope all is well with you in D.C.
[ ]AsteriskCGY
Seems to be a problem with forgotten umbrellas.
[ ]sal
Wow I had no idea umbrellas being left behind was such a big problem in Japan! hehe
I think these posters are much more effective than any of the plain warning signs we see today (well, in my country, that is).
The fact that they incorporate famous figures draws more attention to them. Brilliant idea. Great creativity. They should bring those out again :)
[ ]Maxi
Wonderful!
[ ]squid
Space Invaders poster is awesome.
[ ]But what is it any different from posters in other countries (in their poster "era"s)? Except characters like Doraemon etc.
PirateJenny
Absolutely lovely. I think what really sets it apart from the signs in the Metro these days is the sheer amount of effort put into the artwork. How long would it have taken whoever did the Last Supper one to complete their work? Amazing.
[ ]Andrew Zucker
Omoshirokatta! Are any of them for sale?
[ ]matheus cerqueira
uau!! muito bacana! adoro adoro arte deste tipo. Meio retrô! muito legal mesmo. aqui no pais deveria ter mais tipo de propaganda assim.
[ ]Ashley
These are excellent. Love vintage posters.
[ ]nana
I love this post! Haha! Interesting!
[ ]Eric
Ditto Ashley. Much appreciated.
[ ]goukadesign
wow such nice design, I love Doraemon too :). Very interesting read.
[ ]bren
it`s wonderful i really like it!
[ ]i wish things like this were used in my country!
Jason
These are indeed great. I have been living in Tokyo for the past 20-odd years; too bad today's posters (same messages) are so uncreative and boring. Real drab stuff nowadays.
[ ]Robert
Are you kidding?
[ ]The "家ã§ã‚„ã‚ã†" (Please do it at home) ones are an instant classic.
Monica
Do you have any idea where I can go hunting for these? Would be the perfect way for me to start my pop art collection.
[ ]marcoman
Fascinating.
[ ]Jeremy
Great posters and nice translation/comments!
[ ]Rob
Great poster, but funny how they interpret the obnoxious/impolite person always has a white person. Propaganda!
[ ]has
Are you on crack?
[ ]KC
What? Goodness you are dumb, look at the posters again!
Anyway, great post, very interesting... I was hoping to see posters up through recent. They had some funny posters when I used to live in Japan a few years back.
[ ]Cecily
wow. so creative and amazing. these signs make everything in the u.s. lame.
[ ]80'sKid
I wonder why the posters from the 80's look so different? Gone are the painting and such, replacent with graphics.
[ ]marc evans
Sugio desu !!!
[ ]andy mason
During the 90's there was at least one poster that was quickly removed. It was a photo of a guy standing (strap hanging) in front of a filled seat of passengers. The photo was shot from behind this guy, and he was totally nude. After seeing scores of "Manner" posters over the years, they became just another part of the background. However, this one was so hilarious that it really got people's attention! I wonder if anyone archived a copy?
[ ]mittagessen
Are there high definition versions of these somewhere on the web?
[ ]nemrac99
Thanks for a consistently awesome site!
[ ]ambushU
Very cool, thanks for sharing, love these designs. Superman in gum may be my fav
[ ]Moldero
awesome thanks
[ ]Tim
Loved this post. Your best in a while. So many gems here. I wonder if they had permission to use the Superman graphics!
[ ]Rin
@Andy: I wonder what that poster was for. Certainly not for forgotten umbrellas.
[ ]Nick
This post is excellent. Is there any change you could upload some hi-res versions?
[ ]BRIAN
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE / HOW I CAN PURCHASE THESE POSTERS??? I HAVE A FRIEND IN JAPAN IF IT IS NECESSARY TO PURCHASE IN JAPAN ONLY...ARE THESE AVAILABLE ON THE NET AS WELL?? I LOVE THE POSTERS!
[ ]Nick
*chance
[ ]bujes
Hoo great job!!
Saludos from Mexico...
[ ]goldtime
In Napoleon poster, the background dictionary is all about teikiken ,teikyuu ...etc nothing about "impossible is not in my dictionary" ? Am I wrong? I found the most interesting poster is "kakekomi kinshi". All posters are great and entertaining, they certainly remind me of so many umbrellas I lost during my time in Japan. Thanks for posting.
[ ]susana
Gee! I like this kind of posters
[ ]I'm sure they are taken into account by every passenger.
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Barry Allen
Great, very nice!
[ ]Sen
These are so insanely clever and I love them. Great post!
[ ]I actually want some of those posters now, lol.
Betty
Boy, they sure do love their puns in Japan. :)
[ ]tomemi
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[ ]I love them all!!!
emilie
hey,
[ ]so coooooool !!!
We are in Tokyo right now, do you know where we could get them ???
JNET
What clever, eye-catching posters. Thank you so much for sharing :) What a great campaign.
[ ]El Abanico.
Great! ;))
[ ]Your blog is very cool!
Thank you for the translations.
Chico
Once again, as I'm sure is noted, it's perfectly okay to offend the world's Christians, but Allah forbid you put up a drawing of Mohammed in any context.
[ ]The Man
Some religions are more close-minded than others.
[ ]Dre Ha
I don't see offenses. The posters are from the 70-ies and 80-ies. Who cared about Islam then. Presence of the imagined biblical images is far more wide-spread and much more colourful thus lent themselves better for playful reference. Who wants chagrined figures?
[ ]Observer
Chico, although I think Dre Ha's comment pointing out the differences between that era and ours is appropriate and accurate, thanks for having the balls to at least bring that up. But be careful-- don't turn into a hater. Peace!
[ ]Derp
The difference is that the world's Christian population doesn't have a rule against images of their deities. Besides, it's not like any of these were offensive.
[ ]Sigognac
Great, well done, very interesting.
[ ]larry
terrific posters!. why can't we have something this cool on the subway?
[ ]montenegro
Imaginativo...parabens
[ ]John Gentry
In the early 1980's Japan gifted to the John Wayne estate approximately 150 of the 40" x 28 1/2" non-smoking 'manner posters' as they allowed his image to be used. They have been in storage for almost 30 years with other Wayne memorabilia that was auction off in October by his family. These posters are now in my private collection.
[ ]Ana
This site is a treasure-trove.
Will it come out of dormancy?
[ ]XRaider927
HOW NOSTALGIC...... SUGOI DESU NE!!!! :D
[ ]