Konoike is one of Japan's former zaibatsu, which has still influenced on Japanese business. For example, my neighbor runs a company that relates to the Konoike Group.

When I visited Osaka Museum of History with a friend in September, I saw some exhibits related to the Konoike family.

The picture below shows Baron Konoike and items that he donated to the museum.

One exhibit is a furisode (a long-sleeved kimono) made in the Edo period (19th century) for a young girl, featuring the Konoike family crest on a red background.

Another furisode, also from the Edo period, was made for a baby born into the Konoike family. It is decorated with treasure motifs in silver foil on white satin.

here is also a kamishimo (a warrior’s ceremonial garment) with treasure motifs on a light indigo background, made for a child of the Konoike family during the same period.

Several sensu (hand fan) belong to the Konoike family.

There was a watercolor painting of Osaka City Central Public Hall, which is one of my favorite buildings in Osaka.

At the museum, visitors can experience daily life in the Taishō period (1912 to 1926) through life-size model displays. The pictures above and below show a children's cloth shop.

The picture below shows gentleman's fashion in the period.

There was also a life-size model of an Osaka streetcar.

When I was a kid, there were still many small mom-and pop shops like these in my hometown. I used to go these tiny shops with my mom. The mannequin of the greengrocer looks as if it's about to speak to us. (This is a replica from around 1940)

Another replica shows the interior of a house built in 1922. At that time, people’s lives were a mix of modern and traditional elements.

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