This week is a quick Fun Link Friday, as I don’t have much info on the origins of these audiovisual materials. These videos have been making their rounds lately, and so far as I can tell people have taken them to be authentic. The first below is a series of short clips that include early sound footage of Kyoto from around 1929. Take a listen and hear everyday street rumbles, musical performances, and festival sounds.

Similarly, though the audio track has been artificially added to this second, earlier clip (distributed by the EYE Filmmuseum) shows footage of Tokyo from 1913-1915. It’s amazing to see the throngs of people and the details of everyday dress.

Take a look and enjoy a peek into these early views of modern Japan!