Wednesday, 11 September 2013

Japanese Bookseller Who Saved Books from WWII Bombing September 08 2013

Seikando Bookstore's owner worked frantically during the last months of WW2 to save books by moving them toMatsumoto, which was spared from air raids.

Photo by AndrĂ© Alessio, via 500px.



The bookstore nests under a miniature castle facade made to look like the nearby Matsumoto Castle.  The owner reconstructed the exterior around 1950 to look like the real castle, because he felt sorry for tourists who couldn't see the real castle which was under construction during that time period.  (Wow, can this dude get any nicer)?
Photo by Neil via flickr.

Besides the unique facade to attract tourists, Seikando trades in Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints which make wonderful souvenirs.
Photo by Dave Lewinn, via Flickr

The real Matsumoto Castle upon which the bookstore version was based.
via Wikimedia Commons.
Kara WithamCo-owner of Secret Safe Books


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