Tag: ‘Vintage’

Czech & Polish posters for kaiju films

11 Jan 2011

Here are a few classic Japanese monster movie posters from Poland and the former Czechoslovakia. [Via Monster Brains]

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla (Poland, 1957)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Son of Godzilla (Poland, 1974)

Czech poster for Daikyoju Gappa --
Monster from a Prehistoric Planet (Czechoslovakia, 1986)

Polish kaiju film poster --
War of the Gargantuas (Poland, 1975)

Polish Godzilla movie poster --
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (Poland, 1978)

Polish Godzilla movie poster --
Terror of Mechagodzilla (Poland, 1977)

Polish kaiju film poster --
Gappa the Triphibian Monster (Poland, 1973)

Polish Gamera movie poster --
Gamera Super Monster (Poland, 1980)

Polish King Kong movie poster --
King Kong Escapes (Poland, 1967)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (Poland, 1971)

Polish kaiju film poster --
The X from Outer Space (Czechoslovakia, 1968)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla vs. Gigan (Poland, 1977)

Rabbit New Year cards

31 Dec 2010

The Year of the Rabbit has come hopping around, and here to mark the occasion are some antique bunny-themed nengajō from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection. Happy 2011!

Rabbit New Year's card -- Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit, 1951 // Snow rabbit, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Sumo-wrestling rabbits, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit in bed, 1915

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbits playing musical instruments, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card -- Rabbit New Year's card --
Rising sun and rabbit, 1915 // Rabbit with pink background, 1951

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbits on bicycles, 1904

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbits, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit on boat, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit holding giant calligraphy brush, 1903

Rabbit New Year's card -- Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit, 1951 // Rabbit walking a tightrope, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit and waves

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit and waves, 1915

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit on boat

Rabbit New Year's card -- Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit, 1951 // Rabbit in the moon, 1915

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit and tiger, 1915

Rabbit New Year's card --
Silver rabbits in snow, 1910

Rabbit New Year's card --
Young girl holding a rabbit, 1915

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit carrying vegetables, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card -- Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit and turtle, 1911 // Snow rabbit, 1927

Rabbit New Year's card --
Rabbit writing New Year's greeting on screen

Pink Tentacle’s greatest hits – 2010

24 Dec 2010

As 2010 draws to an end, here's a look back at the year's most popular Pink Tentacle posts.

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

- Old-school Tokyo subway manner posters: 27 train etiquette posters from the 1970s-1980s

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Custom scooters: Photos of 30 Japanese scooter mods

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Post-apocalyptic Tokyo scenery: Fantastic photo manipulations by Tokyogenso

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Macabre kids' book art by Gojin Ishihara: Not just for kids

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Concept cars: A look back at 50+ years of Japanese concept car designs

* * * * *

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

- Japanese town logos: 50 examples of kanji-based logos for Japanese towns

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Kaikidan Ekotoba monster scroll: Mysterious mid-19th century scroll featuring 33 legendary monsters and human oddities

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Futuristic mega-projects: Shimizu Corporation's bold architectural plans for the world of tomorrow

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Horror illustrations by Tatsuya Morino: The great monsters of Gothic literature get a makeover

* * * * *

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Selections from the Japanese urban legend series

- Ningen: Giant humanoid sea creatures of the Antarctic
- Sony timer: Rumors of a secret kill switch in Sony products
- Severed samurai head in Tokyo: A head buried in Tokyo has haunted the city for 1,000 years
- Secrets of the Tokyo underground: Rumors of a hidden city under Tokyo
- Hanako-san: Girl ghost haunts restrooms across Japan
- Human-faced dog: Encounters with mysterious canines
- Okiku doll: A haunted toy with hair that grows
- Urban legends from Meiji-period Japan: Phantom trains, bloody chocolate, and more
- Cursed commercial: Infamous Kleenex ad that sparked fear across Japan
- Human pillars: Tales of human sacrifice for large-scale construction projects

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki: Fantastic art from the 1960s-1970s (bonus points for the comments)

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Manga farming: Nifty gardening technique by Tokyo-based artist Koshi Kawachi

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Paintings by Tetsuya Ishida: Surreal and provocative

Happy holidays, and thanks for reading. See you again in 2011!

Vintage political posters

22 Nov 2010

Here is a selection of old Japanese posters featuring political, social and environmental messages.

Political poster from Japan --
Sheltered Weaklings (Takashi Kono, 1953) [+]

Political poster from Japan --
Anti-pollution poster (Kenji Ito, 1973)

Political poster from Japan --
Against the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan (Kinkichi Takahashi, 1960s)

Political poster from Japan -- Political poster from Japan --
Anti-war poster (Kenji Iwasaki, 1960s) [+] // Give Us Back Man (Tsunehisa Kimura, 1969) [+]

Political poster from Japan --
Poster for exhibit in support of Vietnamese women and children (Makoto Wada, 1968)

See more vintage political posters »

Posters by Kazumasa Nagai

08 Nov 2010

Here is a collection of posters by graphic artist Kazumasa Nagai from the 1960s and 1970s.

Poster by Kazumasa Nagai --
Kōrakuen Jumbo Pool, 1973

Poster by Kazumasa Nagai --
Growth - Life Science Library, 1966

Poster by Kazumasa Nagai --
Toshiba IC, 1967

Poster by Kazumasa Nagai --
The Mind - Life Science Library, 1965

Poster by Kazumasa Nagai --
Expo '75 - International Ocean Exposition, 1975

See more posters by Kazumasa Nagai »

Tezuka fire safety posters

02 Nov 2010

Osamu Tezuka's manga characters appeared in a series of fire safety posters featured at a disaster prevention exhibit at the Shinjuku Keio department store in March/April 1979.

Fire safety poster by Osamu Tezuka --
Supervise children around fire (Astro Boy/Uran)

Fire safety poster by Osamu Tezuka --
Always maintain adequate ventilation (Kimba the White Lion)

Fire safety poster by Osamu Tezuka --
Plan at least two escape routes (Unico)

Fire safety poster by Osamu Tezuka --
Be alert for irregularities (Black Jack)

Fire safety poster by Osamu Tezuka --
Provide safe rooms for children and the elderly (Son-goku the Monkey)

See more Tezuka fire safety posters »

Tetsujin 28 manga covers (1956-1966)

20 Oct 2010

Tetsujin 28-gō, the famous Japanese robot manga series written and illustrated by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, ran as a monthly insert in Shōnen Magazine from July 1956 to May 1966. The manga follows the adventures of a 10-year-old boy named Shotarō and his giant crime-fighting robot named Tetsujin 28 (a.k.a "Gigantor" in the US), which was originally built by the boy's late father as a secret weapon for the Japanese military during World War II.

Here are some scans of the manga covers (from the mook Yokoyama Mitsuteru Manga Taizen).

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
July 1956

Tetsujin 28 manga cover art -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
September 1956 [+] // October 1956 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
February 1957 [+] // April 1957 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover art -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
August 1957 [+] // October 1957 [+]

Gigantor manga cover --

Gigantor comic cover art -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
November 1957 [+] // December 1957 [+]

Tetsujin-gō 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
April 1958 [+] // November 1958 [+]

Tetsujin 28-go manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
June 1958 [+] // December 1958 [+]

Iron Man 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
March 1959 [+] // July 1959 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover art --

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
August 1959 [+] // September 1959 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
April 1960 [+] // June 1960 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
July 1960 [+] // August 1960 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
October 1960 [+] // November 1960 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
December 1960

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
March 1961 [+] // August 1961 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
November 1961

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
January 1962 [+] // May 1962 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
February 1962

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
September 1962 [+] // December 1962 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
August 1962

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
February 1963 [+] // April 1963 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
November 1963 [+] // December 1963 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
January 1964 [+] // July 1964 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover --

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
January 1965 [+] // March 1965 [+]

Tetsujin 28 manga cover -- Tetsujin 28 manga cover --
September 1965 [+] // October 1965 [+]

Anatomical illustrations from Edo-period Japan

13 Oct 2010

Here is a selection of old anatomical illustrations that provide a unique perspective on the evolution of medical knowledge in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Pregnancy illustrations, circa 1860

These pregnancy illustrations are from a copy of Ishinhō, the oldest existing medical book in Japan. Originally written by Yasuyori Tanba in 982 A.D., the 30-volume work describes a variety of diseases and their treatment. Much of the knowledge presented in the book originated from China. The illustrations shown here are from a copy of the book that dates to about 1860.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Anatomical illustrations, late 17th century [+]

These illustrations are from a late 17th-century document based on the work of Majima Seigan, a 14th-century monk-turned-doctor. According to legend, Seigan had a powerful dream one night that the Buddha would bless him with knowledge to heal eye diseases. The following morning, next to a Buddha statue at the temple, Seigan found a mysterious book packed with medical information. The book allegedly enabled Seigan to become a great eye doctor, and his work contributed greatly to the development of ophthalmology in Japan in the 16th and 17th centuries.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Trepanning instruments, circa 1790 [+]

These illustrations are from a book on European medicine introduced to Japan via the Dutch trading post at Nagasaki. Pictured here are various trepanning tools used to bore holes in the skull as a form of medical treatment.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Trepanning instruments, circa 1790 [+]

The book was written by Kōgyū Yoshio, a top official interpreter of Dutch who became a noted medical practitioner and made significant contributions to the development of Western medicine in Japan.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Trepanning instruments, 1769 [+]

These illustrations of trepanning instruments appeared in an earlier book on the subject.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Anatomical illustrations (artist/date unknown) [+]

These anatomical illustrations are based on those found in Pinax Microcosmographicus, a book by German anatomist Johann Remmelin (1583-1632) that entered Japan via the Dutch trading post at Nagasaki.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Human skeleton, 1732

These illustrations -- created in 1732 for an article published in 1741 by an ophthalmologist in Kyōto named Toshuku Negoro -- show the skeletal remains of two criminals that had been burned at the stake.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Human skeleton, 1732

This document is thought to have inspired physician Tōyō Yamawaki to conduct Japan's first recorded human dissection.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Japan's first recorded human dissection, 1754

These illustrations are from a 1754 edition of a book entitled Zōzu, which documented the first human dissection in Japan, performed by Tōyō Yamawaki in 1750. Although human dissection had previously been prohibited in Japan, authorities granted Yamawaki permission to cut up the body of an executed criminal in the name of science.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Illustration from 1759 edition of Zōzu

The actual carving was done by a hired assistant, as it was still considered taboo for certain classes of people to handle human remains.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Japan's second human dissection, 1758 // First human female dissection, 1759

In 1758, a student of Tōyō Yamawaki's named Kōan Kuriyama performed Japan's second human dissection (see illustration on left). The following year, Kuriyama produced a written record of Japan's first dissection of a human female (see illustration on right). In addition to providing Japan with its first real peek at the female anatomy, this dissection was the first in which the carving was performed by a doctor. In previous dissections, the cutting work was done by hired assistants due to taboos associated with handling human remains.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772

Japan's fifth human dissection -- and the first to examine the human brain -- was documented in a 1772 book by Shinnin Kawaguchi, entitled Kaishihen (Dissection Notes). The dissection was performed in 1770 on two cadavers and a head received from an execution ground in Kyōto.

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772

Edo-period medical illustration --
Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772

* * * * *

Tōmon Yamawaki, son of Tōyō Yamawaki, followed in his father's footsteps and performed three human dissections.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1774

He conducted his first one in 1771 on the body of a 34-year-old female executed criminal. The document, entitled Gyokusai Zōzu, was published in 1774.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1774

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1774

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1774

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1800

These illustrations are from a book by Bunken Kagami (1755-1819) that documents the dissection of a body belonging to a female criminal executed in 1800.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Female dissection, 1800

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Human anatomy (date unknown)

This anatomical illustration is from the book Kanshin Biyō, by Bunken Kagami.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Human anatomy (date unknown)

In this image, a sheet of transparent paper showing the outline of the body is placed over the anatomical illustration.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Seyakuin Kainan Taizōzu (circa 1798)

These illustrations are from the book entitled Seyakuin Kainan Taizōzu, which documents the dissection of a 34-year-old criminal executed in 1798. The dissection team included the physicians Kanzen Mikumo, Ranshū Yoshimura, and Genshun Koishi.

Edo-period medical illustration --
Seyakuin Kainan Taizōzu (circa 1798)

Edo-period medical illustration --
Seyakuin Kainan Taizōzu (circa 1798)

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Dissection, 1783 [+]

This illustration is from a book by Genshun Koishi on the dissection of a 40-year-old male criminal executed in Kyōto in 1783.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Breast cancer treatment, 1809

These illustrations are from an 1809 book documenting various surgeries performed by Seishū Hanaoka for the treatment of breast cancer. The illustrations here depict the treatment for a 60-year-old female patient.

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Bandage instructions from two medical encyclopedias, 1813

* * * * *

Edo-period medical illustration --
Yōka Hiroku (Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1847

These illustrations are from the 1847 book Yōka Hiroku (Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths) by surgeon Sōken Honma (1804-1872).

Edo-period medical illustration --
Yōka Hiroku (Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1847

* * * * *

The following illustrations are from the 1859 book Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), an 1859 book by Sei Kawamata that presented the teachings of surgeon Sōken Honma.

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859

Edo-period medical illustration -- Edo-period medical illustration --
Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859

[Source: Nihon Iryō Bunkashi (History of Japanese Medical Culture), Shibunkaku Publishing, 1989]

Monster illustrations from Ultraman sonosheet book

27 Sep 2010

These Ultra Monster illustrations by Toshio Okazaki are from 'The Return of Ultraman' sonosheet book (Volume 1) published by Elm in 1971.

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Takkong, Ultraman, Twin Tail [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Zazahn, Sadora [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Kingsaurus III, Alien Zarab, Geronimon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Jirass, MAT Arrow 1, MAT Arrow 2 [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gorbagos, Suflan, Kiyla [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Keronia, Dada, Shugaron [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Mognezun, Kemular [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Seagoras, Seabozu, Dodongo [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Dorako, Ultraman, Gomora [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Skydon, Earthtron, MAT Arrow 2 [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Dangar, Gabora, Gyango, Alien Baltan [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Antlar, Pigmon, Gudon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Pestar, Ultraman, Gabadon, Alien Zarab [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Detton, Zambolar, Telesdon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gamakujira, Stegon, MAT Vehicle, Kanegon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Alien Mephilas, Hydra, Jamila, Ultraman [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gesura, MAT Sub [+]

[More: Ultra Monster paintings by Toshio Okazaki]