Vintage Tokyo Subway Manners Posters
Here are some manners posters that appeared in the Tokyo subways between 1976 and 1982.
Left: Three annoying train monsters (October 1982)
The three annoying train monsters shown in the poster are Nesshii (the sleeping monster), Asshii (the leg-crossing monster), and Shinbunshii (the newspaper-reading monster).
Text by Pink Tentacle
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Even Superman is no match for chewing gum discarded on the train platform.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," this poster encourages passengers not to take up more seat space than necessary.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster of the high-class courtesan Agemaki (from the kabuki play "Sukeroku"), whose captivating beauty was said to make men forgetful, is meant to remind passengers to take their umbrellas when they leave the train.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This 1979 poster pays tribute to the extremely popular Space Invaders video arcade game and encourages passengers to read their newspapers without invading the space of other passengers.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of sumo wrestlers locked in combat serves as a reminder for passengers to stand safely behind the white line when waiting for the train.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The text at the top of this poster -- which shows Jesus overwhelmed with umbrellas at the Last Supper -- reads "Kasane-gasane no kami-danomi" (lit. "Wishing to God again and again"). The poster makes a play on the words "kasa" (umbrella) and "kasane-gasane" (again and again).
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster warns passengers against getting their shoulder bags caught in the train doors.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Modeled after the paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, this poster -- titled "Hōmu de Concon" (coughing on the platform) -- urges people not to smoke on the train platforms during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The poster makes a play on the words "concon" (coughing sound) and "cancan" (French chorus line dance).
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster, which features Doraemon dressed as Santa, encourages Christmas and end-of-year drunks not to pass out on the train.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of a cross-legged version of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" aims to encourage passengers to sit in a way that is considerate of other passengers.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of a kappa (river imp) against a backdrop of lit cigarettes serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The text at the top of the poster reads "Gaman gurai wa he no kappa," which translates loosely as "waiting is no big deal."
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This Marilyn Monroe poster aims to remind passengers to take their umbrellas with them when they leave the train. The text in the top right corner -- "Kaerazaru kasa" (umbrella of no return) -- is a play on "Kaerazaru Kawa," the Japanese title for "River of No Return," the 1954 movie starring Monroe.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Uesugi Teppei, a character from the popular manga "Ore wa Teppei," offers to give up his seat to the elderly and infirm.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster advises passengers not to rush onto the train at the last moment. The text (かけこみ禁寺) is a play on the words かけこみ禁止 (kakekomi kinshi - "don't rush onto the train") and かけこみ寺 (Kakekomi-dera - Kakekomi temple), which has long been known as a sanctuary for married women fleeing their husbands.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of Napoleon holding a partially concealed train pass is meant to remind passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant when passing through the gates. The dictionary page in the background appears to be a reference to Napoleon's famous quote, "The word 'impossible' is not in my dictionary."
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster, which reminds passengers to take their belongings when they leave the train, shows Astro Boy returning a forgotten hat and umbrella to his creator, Osamu Tezuka.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster, which depicts Cinderella rushing from the ball at the stroke of midnight, is meant to warn passengers against the danger of trying to rush into the train after the departure chime sounds.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of Mary carrying baby Jesus aims to encourage passengers to give up their seats to mothers with small children.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The "Journey to the West" monkey urges passengers not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This October 1976 poster of a drinking Santa is addressed to the drunks on the train. The text, loosely translated, reads: "I look like Santa because you've had too much to drink. It's only October. If you drink, be considerate of the other passengers."
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Doraemon offers a friendly reminder not to forget your umbrella. The text at the bottom is a suggestion to write your name, address and company name (or school name) on your possessions.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Marcel Marceau gestures toward a priority seat reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of a cat stepping in gum is a playful twist on the popular children's song "Neko Funjatta" ("I Stepped on a Cat").
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster is a reminder for passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant, even when they fly like Superman through the ticket gates.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
This poster of a melting snowman aims to encourage passengers seated near a window to let cool air in when it is hot inside.
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
The image of John Wayne on a mock cover of Time magazine serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).
[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]