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.

RSS News Feed
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

« Central Wholesale Market • Women Washing »

In this studio photo of daily kitchen work, a woman wearing a hokkaburi (頬っ被り, headwear) is grinding something in an earthenware suribachi (mortar). Daikon (radish) and a knife lay on the mainata (wooden board). Next to the mainata is a meshibitsu (rice tub). On the other side is an oke (wooden bucket) and a kago (reed basket).

The suribachi was, and often still is, an important tool in the Japanese kicthen. It was especially used for grinding sesame seeds or mashing miso.

Japanese hairstyles were extremely elaborate and contained a lot of wax. Housewives and working women used the hokkaburi to protect their hair from dust and dirt while working.

Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Medium: Albumen Print
Image Number 80129-0048

Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image.
You can also licence this image online: 80129-0048 @ MeijiShowa.com.

IMPORTANT
Usage of this image requires a reproduction fee.

Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2010-06-17

« Central Wholesale Market • Women Washing »

Add Comment