Osaka 1880s
Matsushima Brothels
Employees stand between jinrikisha (rickshaws) parked in front of impressive brothels in Osaka’s Matsushima red light light district.
Osaka 1880s
1912
Baby Girl in Kimono
Photo of a 1 year old baby girl in ceremonial kimono. During the early 20th century it was a very popular custom in Japan to take photographs of babies around their first birthday.
1890s
Ceramics and Pottery Shop
Three children sit in front of a shop cramped with ceramics and pottery.
Kyoto 1920s
Shimabara Tayuu
A tayuu (high class prostitute) from Shimabara in Kyoto. The area was the licensed prostitution district of Kyoto. Tayuu wore gorgeous costumes that grew ever more ostentatious during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Tokyo 1920s
Hanayashiki, Asakusa Park
Asakusa Park was to Meiji Tokyo what Shibuya is today, a place for the middle and lower class masses to go and amuse themselves at low cost. Amusement park Hanayashiki was the top crowd puller here.
Osaka 1890s
Dotonbori Theater Street
Dotonbori (also: Dotombori) seen towards the east. The crowded and lively street was filled with teahouses (shibai-jaya), restaurants and theaters.