Japanese Kamishibai Propaganda Poster Card set titled: “Noguchi Hideyo,” printed in war-ravaged Japan in 1945 and released later in 1946. Kamishibai were used extensively in pre-war and wartime Japan as religious, political and home front propaganda. Rising out of the ashes of war and defeat, Japan was determined to create a new and prosperous nation and would need young people to work and study hard to achieve these goals. Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), a scientist who studied and researched in America (and is even buried there now) was the perfect subject. The story tells of his life and the tragedies he had to overcome. At the same time, the fact that Noguchi lived and worked in the United States helped the Japanese more easily accept the American Occupation. Kamishibai were developed to spread propaganda on the streets as story tellers would use the cards to teach the public about Japanese government propaganda.