Why Are We So Drawn to the Shōwa Era Today? Exploring the Realities of That Time Through Colour, Tempests, and Railways

Even though we are well into the Reiwa era, our streets are curiously filled with spots proudly labelled 'Shōwa retro', captivating the hearts of even the younger generations. The appeal runs deeper than mere nostalgia; it's a textured, nuanced charm. Here, I'll explore the atmosphere of that time through four distinct lenses: colour, tempests, railways, and the symbols of the era.

Recreating the Colours of That Era

When you try to immerse yourself in the Shōwa worldview, the first thing that strikes you is its unique palette. A deep vermilion, a serene indigo, a persimmon hue that somehow evokes nostalgia... These colours aren't simply old; they are built on deliberate calculation and a clear aesthetic sensibility. Looking back at a certain colour notebook published in the past reveals the sensibilities of the people who lived through that era. The colour combinations used in commercial design and everyday goods are a testament to a refined taste that could easily be applied to contemporary interiors and fashion. Browsing such materials shows just how seriously people of the time engaged with colour.

Unforgettable Memories of the Tempest

Of course, the Shōwa era wasn't all gentle hues. Etched deeply into people's memories are the powerful forces of nature. I'm talking about Typhoon 20 of 1979. While nowadays we're accustomed to typhoon names incorporating the current era name, like 'Reiwa 1 Bōsō Peninsula Typhoon', this particular storm—also known then as the 'Second Muroto Typhoon'—struck the Japanese archipelago with immense force.

I was living in Osaka at the time, and I remember the Keihan trains being suspended for hours, leaving the area in front of the station thronged with people unable to get home. The intensity of the wind and the sound of rain lashing against the windows are still vivid in my mind. This typhoon left such a scar that it altered the cityscape overnight, marking the end of the high-growth period and a major turning point in disaster awareness. For those who lived through it, Shōwa isn't just a fond memory; it's a stark reminder of living alongside severe nature.

Railways: A Landscape Connecting Cities and People

So, what carries those real memories into the present? One answer is undoubtedly the railway. Walking along the Keihan Electric Railway line, you notice that traces of Shōwa still linger strongly. Particularly, the streetcars that run in harmony with the Kyoto cityscape, and the old-fashioned shopping arcades around Hirakatashi Station (before their redevelopment), feel as if time moves more slowly there.

The Keihan line was more than just a means of transport. The residential areas and culture nurtured along its route represent an ideal form of urban planning from the Taishō to Shōwa periods. The evocative names given to express trains like 'Biwako' and 'Sazanami', or the subtly distinct scents on platforms and departure melodies at each station—these details carry a tangible 'texture' that people of that era cherished.

The Framework of an Era: Shōwa

Here, we must address the figure who symbolised the era: Emperor Shōwa. His 64-year reign spanned a period of tumultuous transformation for Japan itself—from war, through post-war recovery, to rapid economic growth. As the lives and values of the people underwent a literal 'tectonic shift' from pre-war to post-war times, the role of the symbolic emperor was constantly questioned.

When we talk about 'Shōwa' today, it goes beyond the name of an era. It forces us to confront a fundamental question: "How did the Japanese people change, and what did they strive to preserve?" The vibrant colours, the unforgiving nature at times, and the railways that consistently supported people's lives—each of these represents a fragment of the answer.

• Shōwa retro's allure goes deeper than aesthetics: It's underpinned by the design sensibilities captured in period materials and the history of recovery from typhoon devastation.
• The Keihan Railway is a 'living' heritage: Alongside the culture of its line, it's a treasure trove of preserved, operational history, still showing us Shōwa-era landscapes.
• A universality that transcends era names: Reflecting on the Shōwa period offers a chance to reconsider Japanese identity and our relationship with the natural world.

Beyond the nostalgia lies the 'resilience' and 'delicacy' of that era. Perhaps the clues for us, living in Reiwa, to shape our future lie not far away, but just a little step into the recent past.