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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« Family in Formal Wear • Yoshiwara Prostitutes »

Ceremonial Taisho era photo of a family in formal wear for family members’ fiftieth wedding anniversary (金婚記念, kinkon kinen). This photo comes from an album with 9 photographs. The accordion type album is covered in beautiful green textile stamped with golden characters that read kinkon kinen.

On the first page is a photo of a text written in graceful calligraphy followed by a photograph of an elderly couple, very clearly the couple that is celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. In the following pages are photographs of their children and grandchildren, including this one. Most probably each family shown in the photographs received one of these little albums.

An interesting detail is the subtitle printed below kinkon kinen. It reads Album of Turtle and Crane, expressing the family’s wish for a long life.

A charming window into this family’s celebration of an important event.

Photographer: Studio Chidori
Publisher: Studio Chidori
Medium: Silver Gelatin Print
Image Number 70126-0025

Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image.
You can also licence this image online: 70126-0025 @ MeijiShowa.com.

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Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2008-04-21

« Family in Formal Wear • Yoshiwara Prostitutes »

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