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On Canvas
From collection Sumida-gawa [Sumida River]
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Based on the steam ships in the background and the others boats on the water, this was probably in the 1920s-1930s. Commodore Perry had opened Japan to negotiate with other countries which allowed Western countries to introduce their sports to the Japanese. This exchange of sport is why the Japanese started rowing, as the Europeans brought boats to Japan and showed them how to row. It can also be concluded that the men in the boat are Japanese because of the clothing that is worn. The europeans did not wear bandanas like the ones shown in the image. It was also less common to see Europeans and Americans wearing long shirts like the men shown. This postcard could have been made to display the Japanese participating in a western sport.