Source: Pink Tentacle

Awesome Retro Japanese Graphic Designs From The 1920’s

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

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Kyoto Grand Exposition to Commemorate the Showa Imperial Coronation, 1928

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Grand Nagoya Festival poster by Kenkichi Sugimoto, 1933

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Source: Pink Tentacle

"Fuji Weekly" cover, Oct 1930

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Source: Pink Tentacle

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

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Source: Pink Tentacle

"Reijin" sheet music cover, 1930

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Source: Pink Tentacle

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

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Poster design by Shujiro Shimomura, 1928

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Source: Pink Tentacle

"Fuji Weekly" cover, Aug 1930

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Poster for "Kriemhild’s Revenge," 1925

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Cover of "Affiches" magazine issue #1, 1927

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Source: Pink Tentacle

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

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Nikke sports coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1931

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1936

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Nikke coat poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937

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Source: Pink Tentacle

Nikke socks and knitwear poster ad by Gihachiro Okayama, 1937

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Source: Pink Tentacle

By - grape Japan editorial staff.