Japan’s Shōwa era, lasting from 1926 to 1989, is the period that put Japan back on the map in a major way. Some even call it the “Golden Age” of Japan, and indeed it was. Japan in the Shōwa era displayed a miraculous economic recovery, timeless inventions, and iconic cultural phenomena that reverberated across the world.
To this day, people still reminisce about Shōwa era contributions, and much of what people adore about it still remains strongly embedded in modern Japanese culture.
There’s a lot to discuss within this legendary time period, so we will breach the surface and give some background on some of the extant aspects of Showa culture you may have already encountered without even realizing it.
Workaholism 「仕事中毒」
The Shōwa era demonstrated just how unified and tenacious the country of Japan is. Through their superiority in electronics and vehicle manufacturing, Japan bounced back from seemingly insurmountable losses and succeeded in becoming one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet again. Despite the shortage of manpower, Shōwa Japan used quite literally everything they had to make one of the most glorious comebacks in world history.
The backbone that supported the weight of Japan’s industries was the dedication of the working class, leading to the coining of the infamous term “salaryman.” “Workaholism” is thrown around lightly in conversations and could be seen as a positive trait, but Shōwa Japan took the definition of the word to another level, to the point that it is said some workers enjoyed being at the workplace more than the comfort of their own home.
We can’t say that workaholism is a healthy aspiration, but we certainly cannot deny that Japan is top-class when it comes to dedication to one’s job and perfecting one's trade/craft. Though companies may have become much more relaxed in recent years, this is a culture that still remains in Japan.
Kissaten 「喫茶店」
We can’t speak on Shōwa culture without paying homage to “kissaten,” or Japanese-style coffee parlors. Though these cute diners date back as early as the Meiji era, they became more of a normalized aspect of Japanese culture after entering the Shōwa era. People appreciate kissaten because they give their customers a chance to take a step back into a previous chapter of Japan and soak in the atmosphere of one of Japan’s biggest periods of transition.
Most kissaten remain pretty much the same as when they were initially founded, with their retro interiors, classic coffee siphons, fish tanks, and a consistent and humble menu that has no need for a revamp. Some of these shops are even run by the same family lineage of multiple generations, and many still offer newspapers and comics for their guests to read.
Store Signage
One thing that everybody can agree on is that store signs in Japan go crazy. Most cityscapes in Japan are visually appealing not just for the nature or stunning architecture but also for the signs that decorate storefronts and restaurant entrances. One could go on a walk for hours, just appreciating how interesting the storefronts look with their cinematic fonts and throw-back designs.
These signs became even more stylized during the Showa Era, adding vibrant colors and brighter lights to decorate the sliding doors that lead customers into izakayas and pubs.
Birth of Instant Ramen (1958) インスタントラーメン
In 1958, Momofuku Ando blessed Japan with one of the best creations the country has ever seen: instant chicken ramen. These noodles could be prepared in as little as 2 minutes and only cost 35 jpy per serving. In the beginning stages, instant noodles were only known for their novelty and convenience, since local grocery stores sold raw noodle bundles for only a sixth of their price. But once Japan started exporting them, they became a must-have for most Asian countries, and eventually western countries as well.
In a poll carried out in Japan in 2000, Ando’s chicken noodles were voted as the most groundbreaking invention of the 20th century. Talk about an underdog comeback.
Vending Machines「自動販売機」 ( Regularized around 1962)
Traces of western culture in the Shōwa era that still remain staples in everyday life for Japanese residents include vending machines and convenience stores.
Vending machines were regularized in Japan around 1962. But what started out as a “nice western idea” was taken to even greater heights once these babies touched down in Japan. Today, Japan offers vending machines for hot and cold drinks, tobacco, alcohol, a plethora of different foods (ready to eat in many cases) and even spices for cooking.
Convenience stores「コンビニ」
Convenience stores, or “conbini” are an oasis for literally every person within the borders of Japan. Anybody living here will tell you that they have been saved by a convenience store at least once in their life. That’s because these shops are open 24 hours and provide 99 percent of the things you need at any given time. The first convenience store, a Family Mart in Saitama Prefecture, was founded in 1973, and all these years later, the convenience store remains one of the most essential establishments in the country.
There are MANY facets of Shōwa that we can put you onto (and we will!), but today we wanted to add a bit of background to what you may already know. Shōwa culture is still alive and well in Japan, and a lot of what you already like about this country may be derived from that era. This is all just the tip of the iceberg, so stay tuned as we delve even further down the Shōwa rabbit hole.
