With a feel for visually interesting compositions and restless background lines, Genthe’s images of Japan maintain a very human focal point. The hectic details of the shots create an atmosphere that tells of a bustling daily life which transcends the film. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and Kobe became centers of new lifestyles shaped by Western influence. The Moga symbolized freedom and modernity: women with short hair, Western dresses, and independent attitudes. They worked in shops, cafés, and offices and were seen as both stylish and controversial.
Jazz music arrived, and dance halls became fashionable among young people. The growing film industry produced silent films accompanied by benshi, narrators who explained plots and dramatized emotions. Theaters, cafés, and department stores (like Mitsukoshi) created a vibrant urban leisure scene. This massive disaster destroyed much of Tokyo and Yokohama. Rebuilding efforts introduced modern infrastructure: wider streets, concrete buildings, and improved public transportation.
