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shows photos of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s. In 1854, Japan opened its doors to the outside world for the first time in more than 200 years. It set in motion a truly astounding transformation. As fate would have it, photography had just been invented. As the old country vanished and a new one was born, daring photographers took photos. Discover what life was like with their rare and precious photographs of old Japan.
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MeijiShowa
License all the photos on this site at our boutique photo agency for vintage photographs, illustrations and maps of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s (Meiji, Taisho, early Showa)
Periods
Themes
Ainu
At Work
Bridges
Buildings
Castles
Children
City Views
Customs
Disasters
Hotels
New Year
People
Prostitution
Railways
Religious
Rural
Scenic Views
Shops
Temples & Shrines
Tokaido
Transport
Weddings
Women
At Work
Bridges
Buildings
Castles
Children
City Views
Customs
Disasters
Hotels
New Year
People
Prostitution
Railways
Religious
Rural
Scenic Views
Shops
Temples & Shrines
Tokaido
Transport
Weddings
Women
Places
Arashiyama
Arima
Beppu
Enoshima
Hakone
Himeji
Hiroshima
Inside
Kinosaki
Kobe
Kyoto
Miyajima
Mount Fuji
Nagasaki
Nagoya
Nara
Nikko
Okayama
Osaka
Outside
Shikoku
Studio
Tokaido
Tokyo
Utsunomiya
Yokohama
Arima
Beppu
Enoshima
Hakone
Himeji
Hiroshima
Inside
Kinosaki
Kobe
Kyoto
Miyajima
Mount Fuji
Nagasaki
Nagoya
Nara
Nikko
Okayama
Osaka
Outside
Shikoku
Studio
Tokaido
Tokyo
Utsunomiya
Yokohama
Photographers
People
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# 70208-0013 1880s • Pilgrims Meiji • People • Religious Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown |
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# 70221-0003 1910s • Drinking Tea Meiji • Customs • People Unknown • Postcard • Unknown |
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# 80115-0017 1880s • Shinto Priest Meiji • People • Religious Kimbei Kusakabe • Albumen Print • Kimbei Kusakabe |
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# 70512-0011 1890s • Kakubeijishi Meiji • At Work • People Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown |
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# 70613-0007 1890s • Having a Party Meiji • Customs • People Kimbei Kusakabe • Albumen Print • J B Millet Company |
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# 70802-0001 1920s • Woman Curling Hair Showa • People • Women Unknown • Silver Gelatin Print • Unknown |
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# 80115-0010 1890s • Flower Peddler Meiji • At Work • People Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown |
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# 70126-0025 1910s • Family in Formal Wear Taisho • People • Weddings Studio Chidori • Silver Gelatin Print • Studio Chidori |
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# 70126-0021 1910s • Family in Formal Wear Taisho • Weddings • People Unknown • Silver Gelatin Print • Unknown |
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# 80129-0043, 70601-0014 1890s • Cutting Tobacco Meiji • At Work • People Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown |
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# 80130-0007 Kyoto 1930s • Buddhist Monks Showa • Religious • People Unknown • Silver Gelatin Print • Unknown |
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# 61228-0004 1920s • Ainu Chief Showa • Ainu • People Unknown • Postcard • Ehagaki Kurabu |
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# 70201-0008 1912 • Baby Girl in Kimono Taisho • Children • People Unknown • Silver Gelatin Print • Unknown |
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# 70614-0005 1890s • Shamisen Craftsman Meiji • At Work • People Unknown • Albumen Print • J B Millet Company |
OldPhotosJapan.com — a photo blog about old Japan that reads like a book and works like an archive. All the photographs are from the Kjeld Duits Collection and available for licensing at MeijiShowa.com. Use when you need historical photos, maps or illustrations of Japan for your newspaper article, book, documentary, advertising or other project. For questions, contact us.
@Noel: You have amazing eyes, Noel. Without you attracting my attention to the location of the …
As I have that photo in my digital archive it spiked my interest, so I …
@Paula Jeannet: Fascinating. There is an image of Amidabashi Bridge in the Kimbei catalogue, but it …
This image of Amidabashi Bridge is found in a photograph album that appears to be …
@Noel Yes, having that collection will be very helpful. Thanks for the link to Rob’s page …