1900s
Ainu Fishermen
Four Ainu fishermen stand in log boats, two of them holding spears as if ready to catch fish. Fish was, together with venison and other game, a very important part of the Ainu diet.
1900s
Osaka 1920s
Kitahama, Nakanoshima
This postcard from the 1920s shows Osaka’s Kitahama and Nakanoshima, an island sandwiched between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers. Nakanoshima has already been thoroughly modernized.
Kobe 1930
Warehouses in Port
This 1930 glass slide shows boats and warehouses in the port of Kobe. Notice the small crane, which in spite of its size still manages to lift quite a few bales.
Hakone 1880s
Cryptomeria Road
A man wearing a hanten (半纏, half-coat)—probably Kozaburo Tamamura’s guide or the carrier of his equipment—stands near the entrance of the cryptomeria road (杉並木) in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Tokyo 1890s
Nijubashi, Imperial Palace
Men are at work in front of Nijubashi (皇居二重橋) at the Imperial Palace (皇居) in Tokyo. They are either installing electricity or telephone lines.
1890s
Buddhist Priest
This Buddhist priest holds a begging bowl and a staff. He is wearing a monk’s stole, called kesa (袈裟) made of sumptuous silk brocade. Kesa are draped over one shoulder and under the opposite arm in order to wrap it around the body.