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1900s
"The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage"

A Japanese bride arrives at the groom’s house. Photographer Teijiro Takagi published this scene in 1905 (Meiji 38) in a photo book about Japanese weddings, The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage. This article reproduces his book.

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1930s
Off to War

A Japanese family poses stoically to “celebrate” a male family member being sent off to war during the late 1930s, or early 1940s. The banners bear his name.

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1910s
Headman, Hunter, Fox

The game that these two young women are playing was once the most popular game in Japan, known by all. Now few people have even heard of its name.

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1920s
Geta and Zori Shop

A small geta and zori shop. The shopkeeper is working on a geta while a customer is looking on. Shops like these were once everywhere in Japan.

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1870s
The "Human Horses" of the Rickshaw

A rickshaw man getting a meal at a food stand. The rickshaw’s story is one of promise, romance, pain, and change. Did you know that the rickshaw contributed to Japan driving on the left side of the road?

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1880s
Beauties of the Bath

Japan’s bathing culture is considered quintessentially Japanese. No guide book of Japan is complete without instructions on how to take a bath. A short history.