アメリカの兵隊さんと新日本風景. [Amerika no heitai san to shin Nihon fūkei]. Wood-cut Print Sketches of G.I. in New Japan Complemented by Sanzo Wada. Collection 1.

Hakata.: Miho Shobo. Circa1947.. Complete set of 3 colour woodblock postcards, 9.1 x 13.2 cm, in original woodblock printed washi folder 23.5 x 12.4 cm, captions in English and Japanese. Very good. These three colour woodblock postcards capture fascinating scenes of Japan during the occupation period. They are packaged in a woodblock printed paper case.

Over 400,000 American troops arrived in Japan soon after the Japanese surrender in order to control the process of democratisation. The sceneries which are depicted on the postcards give a contemporary feel of Japan during the occupation.

'A Snowy Sight at Hibiya Junction in Tokyo' shows a busy intersection in Tokyo where both an American GI and a Japanese policeman are controlling the traffic at the same time, while Japanese and American pedestrians cross the street. 'Sanjo Bridge in Kyoto' shows three American soldiers on leave at the famous Sanjo Bridge, glancing at two Japanese maiko in kimono while a young Japanese couple is having a date. The last postcard depicts a scene at Hakata Pier where Japanese migrants are disembarking a ship. Over one million Japanese migrants arrived back at Hakata from China and Korea during the period. A few American soldiers are guarding the area.

The artist, Wada Sanzo (1883-1967), had a long and distinguished career in art during his long life. He was also involved in film costume designs and won the Academy Award in 1953 for colour and costume designs for Gate of Hell. .