Osaka Railways – Kansai Lines, c. 1935, by Toyonosuke Kurozumi

This poster for the Osaka Railways' Kansai Lines is a bold and minimalist design. At the centre is a striking yellow clock face with simplified black hands and hour markers, symbolising punctuality and efficiency. The clock is set against a stark black background, intersected by geometric pink and white lines, which create a dynamic, modernist composition. The bold Japanese characters at the top and bottom announce changes to the railway schedule and improvements in service, highlighting the journey time between Tennoji and Yamada as just under three hours.

Toyonosuke Kurozumi, a leading Japanese graphic artist of the 1930s, was heavily influenced by European modernist trends, particularly the Bauhaus movement. His work often used minimal colour palettes, clean lines, and bold typographic elements to communicate messages efficiently. This poster reflects Japan's rapid industrialisation during the early Shōwa period, where railways were critical for economic development and domestic tourism.