In 1890, the brick high-rise observation tower "Ryōunkaku" equipped with Japan's first elevator, was opened. The twelve-story tower, also known as the "Asakusa Twelve-Story," became a new landmark of Asakusa.
This is a picture sugoroku boardgame. The game starts at the ticket office, and the goal is to climb to the top twelfth floor. As the name "karakuri" (gimmicks, tricks) suggests, there are various gimmicks found in this picture; by opening the windows on the tower, the players can get an inside view of Ryōunkaku.」
In 1926, the publisher of the "Complete Series of Modern Japanese Literature" (Gendai Nihon Bungaku Zenshū, Kaizōsha), priced at one yen per volume, received 230,000 pre-orders of the collection. With this, a variety of "one-yen books" were published by various publishers. These "one-yen books" expanded the readership and promoted the popularization of refined culture.
おもな円本
全集名(出版社) 刊行年月 巻数 価格
現代日本文学全集(改造社)1926年(大正15)12月 全63巻(別巻含)並製1円・特製1円40銭
世界文学全集(新潮社)1927年(昭和2)3月 全56巻(第2期含) 1円
現代大衆文学全集(平凡社)1927年(昭和2)5月 全60巻(総巻含)定価記載なし(1円)
日本児童文庫(アルス)1927年(昭和2)5月 全76巻 2冊1円
小学生全集(興文社) 1927年(昭和2)5月 全88巻 35銭
明治大正文学全集(春陽堂)1927年(昭和2)6月 全60巻 並製1円・特製1円50銭
濫発される「円本」は企画の重複を招き、出版社間で激しい広告合戦が繰り広げられた。 『日本児童文庫』(アルス) VS 『小学生全集』(興文社) 以下 省略」
From the Taisho era (1912–1926) to the early Showa era (1926–1989), attractive advertisements for products increased under the new lifestyle based on mass production and mass consumption.
With the age of "civilization and enlightenment" (bunmei kaika), Tokyo became a stage for adopting new cultures and customs from abroad. Consequently, educational institutions, newspaper and magazine publishing houses, and entertainment facilities were established and developed.」