OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN, a photo blog of Japan in the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods

English
日本語

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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Recent Comments

Kjeld Duits (Women Practicing Ikebana)
@Sonoko What wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Sonoko (Women Practicing Ikebana)
My uncle is the son of Seisaburo. His daughter (my cousin) was a shamisen player. …
JAURENA (Saving Battleship Mikasa)
Bonjour, Magnifique ! Un travail long et minutieux. Un site conçu avec TXP. 勇ましい
Kjeld Duits (Shinsaibashi Bridge)
@Kim The white building is the Ishihara Tokeiten (石原時計店). This was a well-known retailer of watches …
Kim (Shinsaibashi Bridge)
What is the tall building?

Good Book Tip

Felice Beato: A Photographer on the Eastern Road • Anne Lacoste, Fred Ritchin

Felice Beato (1832–1909) lived and worked in Japan from 1863 through 1884, just as the country opened its doors to the world. He was extremely active in Japan, and portrayed the Japanese with dignity and as equals of Westerners. He was the first photographer in Japan to sell albums of his works. Most likely, it was Beato that introduced the later so diligently followed concept of “views” and “types” to photography of Japan.

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License any photo!

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

Meiji (1868-1912)
Taisho (1912-1926)
Showa (1926-1989)

Themes