Back in Time to Old Japan

[Shinpachi]

In the evening a few days ago, I came across an old shutter door in my neighborhood.
This is a kitchenware shop since 1918 but I did not know what's on it as I always walked there in the daytime.



Wow

[michaelmaltby]

I guess the owners are/were proud to import German steel kitchenware - and THAT was the symbol passersby would associate with Germany - Japan's ally and German QUALITY. I'm just guessing, yes, but what is most amazing is what you captured - a snapshot back to distant era in time. Great find, Shinpachi. Thanks,

MM
Proud Canadian

[syscom3]

Good job finding this bit of history!

[Gnomey]

Interesting find!

[FLYBOYJ]

WOW!

[Shinpachi]

Thanks for your good explanation, michaelmaltby
Thanks for your kind comments, syscom3, Gnomey and FLYBOYJ too

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Interesting. Cool find Shinpachi.

[parsifal]

very intersting. I have a question though. Roller shutters were not invented until 1956, so i think this painted sign is a post war addition.

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Wow!!! What a find Shinpachi! It's just more proof that you never know what you will find. Very cool.

[RabidAlien]

Doesn't have the "aged" and weathered look of something that's been around since the 40's, unless its been purposefully touched-up over the years. Interesting find, though, Shinpachi!

[Shinpachi]

This is the outside/inside of the shop in daytime.
I had no chance to interview with them today.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Interesting? I would be interested in knowing why they painted that on there. Obviously not dating from WW2...

[Wayne Little]

Interesting....

[Shinpachi]

Interesting? I would be interested in knowing why they painted that on there. Obviously not dating from WW2...

The caption on the shutter says "We handle the best products in the world".
As michaelmaltby kindly pointed out, the shop founder would have had business with Germany and been respecting Germany and its people.

If it was around 1960 to be painted, I remember that my fathers/grandfathers still had a strong sympaty for Germany. It is not difficult for me to imagine that the emblem would have symbolized it.

[michaelmaltby]

".... Roller shutters were not invented until 1956, so i think this painted sign is a post war addition."

Clearly postwar then, - but German quality steel is still German quality steel. It just means that Japanese society wasn't/isn't "P.C." (about the Nazis. at least ).

In the M.E. on my travels I've met truck drivers in Mercedes Benz and Mann trucks that smile and say "truck strong, like Hitler". In their case, given the politics of the region, their words are a little more than just lack of PCism .

MM