復興せる帝都を御巡幸の御召自動車馬場先奉祝門御通過のところ

About this photo

The road gleams as if wet, and the gate's shadow is faintly reflected in it. Beyond it, a black pillar crowned with a red tower stands on each side, and from each, a low wing of the gate extends outward. Between the pillars and in front of the trees on the left, many black cars stand in a line.

The title reads "The Imperial Car Passing Through the Babasaki Celebration Gate on the Emperor's Tour of the Rebuilt Capital." In Tokyo City, the reconstruction projects after the Great Kanto Earthquake were nearly finished in March 1930. This album came out the same month. In the table of contents, this photo is followed by titles celebrating the reconstruction, such as "The Ceremony for the Completion of the Capital's Reconstruction in Front of Nijubashi, Attended by the Emperor" and "Decorated Streetcars for the Reconstruction Festival."

The tower atop the gate stacks thin roofs tier upon tier, and its tip is as sharp as a needle. The edge of each tier is bright, cutting horizontal lines into the red.

Glossary