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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« New Year Celebrations 13 • New Year Celebrations 11 »

Two men are clowning around as part of the entertainment seen during Meiji Period (1868-1912) New Year celebrations. This image is part of The New Year in Japan, a book published by Kobe-based photographer Kozaburo Tamamura in 1906. Original text:

Ping! Pong! These men are acting similar to the foreign pantomine [sic] clowns; they parade the streets, performing various antics, peculiar to custom, and they shout “Hail! Hail! ye Gods of Heaven and earth. Significant omens are in the air, and the universe is full of lucky signs.” [1]

See all New Year images on Old Photos of Japan.

¹ Tamamura, Kozaburo (1906). The New Year in Japan. Tamamura Shashinkan.

Photographer: Kozaburo Tamamura
Publisher: Kozaburo Tamamura
Medium: Collotype Print
Image Number 80115-0036

Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image.
You can also licence this image online: 80115-0036 @ MeijiShowa.com.

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Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2009-01-01

« New Year Celebrations 13 • New Year Celebrations 11 »

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