Old Photos of Japan rescues rare images of daily life in old Japan
Learn more about this project

1900s
Ainu Chief

Artist	Unknown
Publisher	Unknown
Medium	Postcard
Period	Meiji
Location	Studio
Image No.	80201-0047
Purchase	Digital File
Author	Kjeld Duits

An Ainu chief in traditional clothing.

For more photographs and information about Ainu, click on Ainu in the THEMES menu.

Published February 13, 2009
Updated December 7, 2021 11:57 PM

Reader Supported

Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.

To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.

I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.

Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.

Thank you,
Kjeld Duits

support

Reference for Citations

Duits, Kjeld (December 7, 2021). 1900s: Ainu Chief, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on May 13, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/654/ainu-chief

Explore More

1910s
Family in Formal Wear

Ceremonial Taisho era (1912–1926) photo of a family in formal wear for family members’ fiftieth wedding anniversary (金婚記念, kinkon kinen).

1920s
Saving Battleship Mikasa

This photo doesn’t really appear special or important. Just a Japanese man wearing glasses posing next to a photo of a ship. But when I dug a little deeper, I discovered something extraordinary.

1890s
Kakubeijishi

Kakubeijishi (角兵衛獅子, also: Kakubeejishi) are acrobatics performed on the street by young boys who did handstands, somersaults and the like, either alone or with their partners. In this photo, three children perform a combination act.

Add Comment

There are currently no comments on this article.

1900sAinu Chief