A month or so ago I posted a small series of dated old shops boasting similarly faded Coca-Cola signs, and in trying to explain my fascination with such retro advertisements, I wrote this:
“What specifically it is about about them I don’t really know, but their faded colours and textures are clearly a factor, as is the similarly dated nature of the buildings they are attached to. Then there’s that mix of East and West, plus in some cases at least, the rapidly encroaching modernity of the surroundings. All of which adds up to something really quite special, making them great to stumble upon and occasionally seek out.”
Needless to say that desire to photograph more has continued, and this latest find is arguably the best one yet. It’s certainly the biggest anyway, and the utterly dilapidated state of the one-time shop and the added Sprite logo make it even more special. A true joy to behold and then some.
Sean says
So cool. Gotta love these old signs!
Lee says
Yeah, they really are special. Always a treat to see a new one.
Richard says
Great find! That building has certainly ‘seen better days.’ Interesting that the Sprite sign has katakana on it but the Coca Cola sign does not. Goes to show how well known Coca Cola is in Japan…and probably just about everywhere else in the world.
When I lived in Tokyo from 1969-71, there was a shop like this near my apartment. I used to stop there to buy a bottle of Coke and some cookies for a snack after going to the sento. A cold drink really hit the spot on a warm and humid summer evening!
I look forward to more of these.
Lee says
Thanks. Always happy to find another one.
That’s a good point about Coca-Cola. I think the only time I’ve seen it in katakana is on the occasional bottle. But they were obviously very old ones. That said it looked really pleasing on the eye due to its simplicity.
Yeah, those evenings are now just round the corner. The humidity is unfortunately starting to making its presence known…
Richard says
I remember very well how ‘mushi atsui’ it gets in Tokyo. Riding on crowded subways or trains on the way home from work in the evenings was not pleasant in those days when there was no AC. Could not wait to get to the sento to get some relief! And then some Coke and cookies were the proverbial icing on the cake. Keep cool in the days to come!
Lee says
Thank you. Yeah, it’s not pleasant that’s for sure. With more aircons and concrete, plus climate change, the humidity is around for longer these days too….
cdilla says
Nice find. Those wonderful faded colours seem, coincidentally, to be of the same cast as photographs from the original era would show them now. Not sure if I am expressing myself very well though.
Lee says
Cheers. You are. And yes, that’s so true. A nice little added extra.