A brief introduction to Meiji-era photographs and to the world in which they flourished. Three essays and dozens of images explore the social function of these photos, their remarkable artistry, and the personal stories of those who collected and preserved these images.
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)
The municipal building of the city of Kyoto was designed by Goichi Takeda (1872-1938, 武田五一), in collaboration with Shinichi Nakano (中野進一). Constructed in two stages, the first stage was finished in 1927 and the second one in 1931. This photo, taken in May 1934, therefore shows the building when it was still quite new. Goichi Takeda, who founded the department of architecture at Kyoto University, played an important role in the establishment of modern Japanese architecture in the Kansai area.
This glass slide is one of a series of slides of Japan that was used by the New York State Education Department to teach students about Japan.
Duits, K. (2008, November 12). Kyoto 1934 City Hall, Old Photos of Japan. Retrieved on 2021, Apr 16 from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/453/city-hall