The Tower To Surpass The Clouds

On September 1st, 1923 in the 12th year of Taishō, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck the southwestern region of Honshu Island in Japan. Shortly before noon, the seismic shock brought about massive destruction exacerbated by widespread fires and tsunami waves of over 40 feet. This was a tragic zeitgeist moment for Japan where the slow process of western influence and cultural integration ceased and amplified the growing sounds of militarization and nationalism. Foreigners, especially Koreans, were unjustly targeted by roving gangs seeking to rid Japan of foreign influence that they believed would attempt to usurp the Emperor's power. As the fires quelled days later, anarchists Sakae Osugi and Noe Ito were targetted and executed by the military without trial in what would become known as the Amakasu Incident. Emperor Taishō would die in 1926 bringing an end to his brief 14 year era. During this time poetry, art, anarchism, and popular movements blossomed. Many were brutally suppressed by the government with anarchists, socialists, artists and intellectuals of all kinds being wrongly imprisoned, disappeared, and executed. All of these people lived in opposition to the inevitable military state that would lead their country into war, destroying an entire generation. The spirit of their expression, resistance, and humanity live on. In Asakusa park was Tokyo’s earliest modern skyscraper featuring 12 stories and the first working elevator in the country. It was damaged beyond repair during the Great Kanto Earthquake, partially collapsing, and was demolished shortly afterwards. It had been a longstanding symbol of decadence, western art, and the possibilities yet to come for this growing city. Dadaist and Anarchist Tsuji Jun who passed the building daily on his walks described its destruction as an omen reminiscent of the Tower of Babel. This tower was named Ryōunkaku. The Tower to Surpass The Clouds Thanks to Chelsea for your endless support and encouragement, Zach and Jonathan for lending your ears, Luc for syncing advice, Shunsuke at Japanese Avant Garde Books for sharing your knowledge and perspective on these themes, Carey and Al at Beckham's Bookshop, James for your patience, support, and understanding, and Ben from Monolithic Gardens for Tascam servicing and repair.