Japanese “English" Signs in Tokio.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5, 3 February 1906, Page 43

Japanese “English" Signs in Tokio.

A Japanis? is usually so happy, anil proud over an “English"’ sign that hi never questions its eorr.s-tms-_ writes a traveller in the “Argonaut."’ Somet'n-r? < when he has it right tie painter improves upon it, as witness: “llaird. resser.” And again: "‘Bool Marker.” ; Sometimes, the painter inserts figures insteail of letters, thus over a shoo.inggallery of archery: “LarSe Bo.vinS.” Over an ice store: “Eci.” At any rate, here .the C is in its proper plain. Sometimes the signs are hopkssly miss-vi ed. “H. Takenda, Karate and Kufu-C" '1 Iris sign puzzled me not a little till 1 looked in the dealer’s window, ar.d saw he was a maker of collars and eulis. A halierdasher advertises the fact that lie sells •"The Adorning Goods."’ In Azabukti district, a Japanese owner of a dog kennel is the proud possessor of a lantern on which is writt-.h: "Great Japanese Sporting Dogs i nd Co.” YYi.hin the small enclosure stands a cage containing one forlorn, Hei-tiitten deg, and a sign over ll.e cage ammun. i s that the occupant is a “Pointer setter spcniel Dog.” Th? owner has cthc r dogs, one of which is a “Dog for the Chase.” Another dog is labelled: “Dog fur the Pit.” and c. 11 about are placards warning in- to “Give no Food.”

A sign that would be mi,re s-.iitiiLl • over a restaurant, or somebody's health food, stands over a taili r shop: " Izu’.ir-i and Gentlemen's •< hit fatte r.’ Another has it: “The shop manufacturin' articles rescuing lives which m-.'.dc o." cook.”

Mr. Z. luokuchi, of Tokio. is a-plumber. His sign reads: “Z. Inekuehi, well-known for being honest and cheap.” “Iron, Coal and Other Precious Metals'? leads one to wonder what other “preeioni metals” the dealer sells.

-"Clarets put up by Bordeaux & Co., -Franca,” and “Florida Water from. Florida,” are inspirations. A shop I would avoid has: “Cheerful Berber,” whit?. another’s sign r.ads: “Barber the Kindness snop.” Mr. T. Tauikawa announces that he is “High Washman.” But the most delightfully idiotic sign, a perfect marvel of its kind, is that over a photographer’s gallciy. It reads, in letters a foot high: "Welcome come in try and take your shape.”