Picturing the PastJapan’s First Skyscraper Meiji Japan’s fascination with things Western led to the construction of Western-style buildings. Japan’s first elevator made possible this twelve-story tower built in Tokyo in 1890. Situated in the entertainment district, it was filled with shops, theaters, bars, and restaurants. (“Pavilion Above the Clouds,” Sugoroku 1890, Utagawa Kunimasa IV [1848–1920]/Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, MA, USA/The Bridgeman Art Library)ANALYZING THE IMAGE Locate all the people in this picture. How are they dressed? What are they doing?CONNECTIONS Keeping in mind that the building in this picture was built in 1890, what connections can you draw between the politics of the period and this visual celebration of a new style of architecture?