Tōkyō kangyō hakurankai jimu hōkoku jōkan

[1909]

[Expositions] Tokyo Prefecture [Tōkyōfu]. Tōkyō kangyō hakurankai jimu hōkoku jōkan [Tokyo Industrial Exposition Report, Vol. 1]. Tokyo: Tōkyōfu, Meiji 42 [1909]. 4to, 331 pp.; profusely illus. with b/w plates reproducing photographs of the exposition and architectural and engineering plans, including approximately 30 folding plates, reproducing site plans, photographs, and pavilion elevations and floor plans, some with color, light foxing throughout; in embossed wrapper, sunned with foxing.

The first volume of a two-part governmental report on the Tokyo Industrial Exposition, 1907. This volume surveys the overall operations and organization of the exposition, with maps and plans for the spatial arrangement of the pavilions in Ueno Park, each building represented photographically and in architectural plans, with further interior plans describing use and displays. The exhibition configurations provide granular information about how the organizers visually communicated a nationalistic narrative about modern, industrial Japan as it entered into a period of colonial expansion. This westernized and modern self-representation (most of the main exhibition buildings were stylistically western) differed greatly from Japanese pavilions at the previous century’s World Fairs, where traditional arts and crafts were prioritized.

Although not technically an international exposition, foreign products and processes were featured, including Japan’s second Ferris Wheel (first exhibited in Osaka a year earlier), and a Crystal Pavilion which became the target of Korean protests and was eventually removed.

Uncommon documentation of a major industrial exposition. OCLC locates no institutional holdings outside of Japan.

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