Yumeji Takehisa: Depicting the Great Kanto Earthquake 2

~ The Great Kanto Earthquake depicted by Yumeji Takehisa 2 ~

I found and read Yumeji's records - First edition

"Tokyo Disaster Painting" by Yumeji Takehisa

Until yesterday, Ginza District had seemed like the model city of Taisho culture, where a new-age dandy would take the left hand of a so-called cultured woman and stride from the dancing hall to the cafe with a jalopy-like gait. But today, the area has suddenly been reduced to ashes for several miles.

He could not yet clearly feel that his head was on his neck. It was no wonder that for a time he seemed dumbfounded at chemistry, religion, and politics.

Who knows the intention behind the earthquake?

Nature shook culture in a single day and instantly recaptured ancient times.

People walking along the street were naked and only had a single piece of cloth covering them.

Not knowing what to say, I just shuffled along in silence on the left.

A man who had only his life on his hands, a woman carrying a broken pot, a mother carrying a child on her back, a boy carrying an old woman in a cart - none of them knew where they were going or where they were coming from.

I just walked along in a hurry and in silence.

Perhaps they themselves do not know where to go.

"Tokyo Disaster Picture Letter" Published in the Miyako Shimbun on September 14, 1923

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Recently, there have been warnings of earthquakes accompanying major volcanic eruptions.

There are now many disaster-related videos on YouTube.

Carry disaster supplies in your backpack, pay attention to tsunami information, check evacuation locations, take water, food, and cold weather precautions, and be mentally prepared...

The phrase that comes to mind is that it could happen at any time.

"I walked in a hurry and in silence..."

Yumeji's words resonated with me and the situation came into my mind.

When humans are faced with a huge disaster,

I guess that's what will happen...

With emotions he couldn't even put into words,

Yumeji observed people and scenes, drew them, and expressed them in words.

I think this is proof that he was a great genius painter.

Kyoko

To be continued...