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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Panoramic view of the Toyama Firing Range (戸山射撃場, Toyama Shagekijo) in Okubo (大久保), Tokyo.

In 1874 (Meiji 7), what was then called Toyamagahara (戸山ヶ原) was requisitioned by the army. A shooting range for the Imperial Guard was established here in 1889 (Meiji 22).

After the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the firing range was developed into a state-of-the-art facility, believed to have been the biggest in Asia. It consisted of seven 300 meter long reinforced concrete buildings into which soldiers shot their automatic and other weapons.

Although originally an isolated location in the countryside, Tokyo soon expanded into the firing range’s surroundings. Therefore, high walls, visible on this image, were built around the compound.

After the end of WWII, the facilities were used by the American Occupation Forces. The shooting range was demolished around 1960. The area now houses the Department of Science and Engineering of Waseda University (早稲田大学理工学部).

This photos is from a private photo album of a member of the Japanese Imperial Guard (Konoe Shidan) who served between 1928 (Showa 3) and 1930 (Showa 5).

Notes

¹ Also read Wikipedia: 陸軍戸山学校（りくぐんとやまがっこう）

² Also read 戸山ヶ原の初めて物語.

Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Medium: Silver Gelatin Print
Image Number 80124-0003

Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image.
You can also licence this image online: 80124-0003 @ MeijiShowa.com.

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Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2010-11-25

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