160305-0041 - Ginza Street View

Streetcars and pedestrians on Ginza in Tokyo, ca. 1907 (Meiji 40).

The building on the right, with the rising sun flags (旭日旗, Kyokujitsu-ki), is Tenshodo (天賞堂).

Located at Ginza Owari-cho (銀座尾張町) since 1879 (Meiji 12), Tenshodo sold seals, stamps, watches and diamonds. The company was famed for its innovative marketing and even helped fund Japan’s first beauty contest.

In the far background, the landmark tower of the Hattori Building (服部時計店ビル) can be seen.

It was the home of K. Hattori & Co., a watch and jewellery shop opened in 1881 (Meiji 14) by Kintaro Hattori (服部金太郎, 1860-1934).