80219-0016 - Nude New Year Greetings

Illustration of two nude Japanese women with elaborate hairstyles at a bathhouse bowing to each other in New Year’s greetings while humbly and politely expressing well-wishes. Part of a New Year’s decoration can be seen in the left top corner.

Postcard published by the Kokkei Shimbun (滑稽新聞社発行) in 1908 (Meiji 41). The satirical publication was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34) by Osaka-based journalist Miyatake Gaikotsu (宮武外骨, 1867-1955) whose real name was Kameshiro Miyatake (宮武龜四郎).

Between May 1907 (Meiji 40) and June 1909 (Meiji 42), Kokkei Shimbun featured a supplement named Ehagaki Sekai (絵葉書世界, The World of Illustrated Postcards). Each issue contained 30 postcards, many giving salty social commentary. In total 26 issues were published, this card was published in Volume 9.

Under pressure from the authorities, Miyatake shut down the Kokkei Shimbun in 1909, ending it with a “Suicide Issue.”

Caption: 銭湯で 裸同士の 御慶 がな (Sento de hadakadoshi no gyokei ga na) — Well, New Year’s greetings in the nude at the public bathhouse
Title: 恭賀新年（きょう がしんねん）— Happy New Year