The Surprising History of Taisho Basketball
If you've ever looked into the roots of taisho basketball, you probably realized it's way more interesting than just some old black-and-white photos of people in high-waisted shorts. Most of us think of basketball as this ultra-modern, high-flying sport dominated by the NBA and flashy sneakers, but the game has a surprisingly deep and stylish history in Japan that stretches back over a century. The Taisho era, which ran from 1912 to 1926, was this unique little window in time where Japan was obsessed with "Taisho Roman"—a blend of traditional Japanese culture and the rapid influx of Western ideas. And yes, basketball was right in the middle of that cultural melting pot. ...