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The Past is Closer than You Think
Many photographs on Old Photos of Japan were shot in the 1880s and 1890s, nearly a century and a half ago. It feels very long ago. But is it?
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Rare Photos of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing
The Duits Collection holds a number of rare photos taken after the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This article briefly explains what makes these images so special. With one exception, it is very unlikely you have seen them before.
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This Japanese Woman from the 1930s Found Me
With this soft-focused photo of a confident young Japanese woman from the 1930s we take a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Duits Collection.
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160 Year Old Photos of Shinjuku's Jūnisō Discovered
I discovered three extremely rare, unidentified, and unknown photos of Jūnisō from the 1860s. Read the story about this extraordinary find.
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Jūnisō Pond Chronology
This visual chronology uses rare images to show how Nishi-Shinjuku’s Jūnisō Pond changed between the 1860s and 1960s. Maps display the viewpoints.
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Minka Floor Plan
Rediscovering Japan’s Irori shows a floor plan of a minka. Here are photos of that minka, a documentary, recommended books, and museums with minka.
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Other Notable Acquisitions
Discover some of the new prints added to the Duits Collection. Part 2.
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New Acquisitions
Discover some of the new prints added to the Duits Collection. Part 1.
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Empire of Color (4)
How 19th century Japanese artists mastered the art of hand colored photography. PART 4: Why Japan became the empire of hand colored photography.
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Empire of Color (3)
How 19th century Japanese artists mastered the art of hand colored photography. PART 3: How colorists worked.
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Empire of Color (2)
How 19th century Japanese artists mastered the art of hand colored photography. PART 2: Color as a competitive tool.
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Empire of Color (1)
How 19th century Japanese artists mastered the art of hand colored photography. PART 1: How photography reached Japan.
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Smoking the Kiseru
Japanese potter and former Living National Treasure Sakaida Kakiemon XIV on smoking the kiseru.
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15 Years 'Old Photos of Japan'
On 30 March 2007, exactly 15 years ago today, I posted the very first article on Old Photos of Japan.