Ever since the Edo period, solutions were investigated to increase buildings’ protection against fire. One of those solutions, developed at the beginning of the 20th century, was the shielding of the walls with copper plates.
The copper plates were produced in various sizes and finishes, and some were also used for decorations:
Photos from the Shitamachi-naka street, at the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum.
- More photos in the Japan Photo Gallery.
