Friendship in Hardship: Childhood in Post-War Japan

Svetlana, Tatiana, and Lena were three Russian sisters born in Korea to Konstantin Aleksandrovich Vassilieff and Natalia Feosodievna Mitrofanenko. You can read more about them here. Driven from their home at the outset of the Korean War, the Seoul Sisters fled to Tokyo—where they lived for 2 1/2 years, before ultimately emigrating to San Francisco.

In observance of Old Stuff Day—and in early observance of Friendship Day—I thought I'd feature this 64 year-old set of snapshots I discovered, spotlighting the Seoul Sisters with their neighborhood friends in Japan. These prints were snapped sometime between the Summer of 1950 and January of 1953—and yes, I'm starting off with a cat pic.

*

*

This next series shows them outside, at play in the neighborhood. From what I know, these photos were taken in Shinagawa, Tokyo, on "a little lane off Sarumachi (Monkey Street), a short walk from Gotanda Station." Also, the Vassilieff residence was "across the street from a large high school for girls" and there was "a small monkey shrine nearby."

*

I like to think, in this next couple of photographs, that they're double-dutching.

*

If you, your mother, or grandmother is featured in these photos—or if any details ring a bell—or if you've got a family story to share about life in Shinagawa in the 1950's, leave us a comment.

We'd love to hear from you! :)