Nowadays Japanese advertisements seems to focus on using strange or quirky content to grab attention, but this collection of posters, magazine covers, and advertisements from the 1920's-30's shows a reliance on style.

The influence of Western art and culture and new political and artistic thinking is evident in these designs, and the bizarre but strangely cool style is reminiscent of Russian avant-garde works. Take a look at some of this retro artwork for an awesome type of design not usually associated with Japan.

Cover of "Nippon" magazine issue #1, Oct 1934

Kyoto Grand Exposition to Commemorate the Showa Imperial Coronation, 1928

Grand Nagoya Festival poster by Kenkichi Sugimoto, 1933

"Fuji Weekly" cover, Oct 1930

Poster for the 1940 Olympic Games in Tokyo (canceled due to WWII), 1936

"Reijin" sheet music cover, 1930

Cover of "Nippon" magazine issue #2, Jan 1935

Poster design by Shujiro Shimomura, 1928

"Fuji Weekly" cover, Aug 1930

Poster for "Kriemhild’s Revenge," 1925

Cover of "Affiches" magazine issue #1, 1927

"Young Miss" (Ojo-san) movie poster, 1930

Nikke sports coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1931

Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1936

Nikke coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937

Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937