80219-0020 - Schoolgirls at Play

Illustration of two young female students in hakama (a traditional Japanese garment worn from the waist down) holding each others hands in a school activity, likely martial art.

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 13.

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

Caption: 通れゝゝ角帽　お通りなされ角帽　行きはよいゝゝ　戻りもよくッて
Title: 女学生の遊戯 (Jogakusei no yugi) — Schoolgirls at play