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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« Isezaki-cho 1-chome • Shintenchi »

The hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen in northern Hyogo Prefecture has a history that reaches back many centuries. According to local legend a hot spring sprang forth in 717 A.D. after the priest Dochi-Shonin prayed here for one thousand consecutive days. The buddhist temple Onsenji was built to honor the priest and on April 23rd and 24th a festival is still held to commemorate his miraculous feat.

Beautifully located along the Otani River, it is lined with a large number of community bathhouses. Especially famous are Satono-yu, Ichino-yu, Jizo-yu and Kono-yu. Kono-yu’s name originates from another famous local legend about a stork that used a spring in this location to heal its wounds. Its name actually means stork’s hot spring.

Kinosaki became a household word in Japan thanks to the novel Kinosaki ni te (At Kinosaki) by Japanese novelist Naoya Shiga.

Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Medium: Postcard
Image Number 70115-0005

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Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2008-04-05

« Isezaki-cho 1-chome • Shintenchi »

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