After Forced Evacuation, Ginza, Tokyo, from "Tokyo Series" 

During World War II, when the US military began air raids on Japan, children were moved to the countryside and densely packed buildings were deliberately “thinned out” in order to protect as many people and buildings as possible. This was known as sokai, or evacuation. In Ginza, in March 1944, more than half the buildings along the main street are believed to have been deliberately demolished. This photo was taken near Ginza 3-chome at around this time. An arm-less mannequin can be seen standing as though in a clothing store. Meanwhile, in the foreground, a woman wears work-trousers made from stylish fabric. Perhaps Morooka was noting that in a location once famed for its fashion, not only the buildings but the ability to dress freely had been taken away.
(KIMURA Eriko)