Life, 1922-08-10 · page 7 of 36
Life — August 10, 1922 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features three letters of greeting to *Life* magazine's editor from Japanese officials, framed by decorative Japanese-inspired artwork (mountains, pagodas, flora). The letters are from: 1. **Prime Minister** (signed T. Kato) 2. **Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs** (signed M. Debuchi) 3. **Viscount Shibuawa** The context appears to be *Life* magazine's special Japan issue, celebrating Japanese culture and promoting U.S.-Japan friendship. The officials praise *Life*'s efforts to present accurate portrayals of Japan to Americans, emphasizing mutual understanding and peaceful relations—likely referencing the Washington Conference era of international diplomacy. The decorative border and artistic styling reflect contemporary American interest in Japanese aesthetics and culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Greetings from Japan EAR Mr. Editor :— It affords me much satisfaction to learn that is striving to exhibit to the American public and to the world a picture of Japan as she really is. Knowing that your Japan Number will be an exact presentation of how “Lire” would appear if published in this country, I hasten to endorse it without seeing the proofs of its contents. Heaps: of literature—and of movie films—portraying American life are now pouring into Japan across the Pacific and are enjoying popularity. As the exponents of human nature, they generally make for better mutual understanding among nations. If they contain untruths, they reveal at least one plain truth, that even writers and artists are not always saints. Life in Japan seems to be different in many ways from what obtains in America. It is however important to note that notwithstanding all these differences, just the same nature exists in one country as in the other. When we meet together face to face and heart to heart, as we did at the memorable Washington Conference, there should be no great difficulty in finding a common platform of honest and honorable friendship. In this spirit and with this conviction, we shall go forward on the high- road to international peace and security. Yours faithfully, (Prime Minister of Japan) O the Editor of “Lire” :— We know that the attitude of a great majority of Americans toward us is one of friendship; and we are anxi- ous for you to know that nothing is nearer our hearts than to maintain and to guard forever our unbroken friend- ship with you. May we always count upon “Lire” to help on this cause which means so much for both peoples and for the whole world. Yours appreciatively, 4% ch At (Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs) O the Editor of “L: Here’s the best of health to you, Lire! May you live forever to maintain the high standard of American humor! For, as long as people can “josh” each other and can take it with good grace, so long shall they be fair fellows and good friends. comicbooks.com