share the heritage
Between the 1850s and 1960s, Japan underwent a dramatic transformation from an isolated feudal society into a modern industrial world power. This gave birth to the modern Japan that we know today.
Daily Life
Old Photos of Japan shows what daily life, architecture and urban planning was like in Japan during this period. Using rare vintage photos, stereoviews, glass slides, negatives, postcards, and artworks like ukiyoe and art postcards from the Duits Collection as a starting point.
Research & Authentic Voices
This is combined with in-depth research—carefully documented in footnotes—and authentic quotes from people who lived through this period. These quotes are clearly marked and easy to recognize, as seen in his example:
When I was minding a child, even though my back would be warm from carrying it, my feet would be as cold as ice. In winter, no matter how cold it was, I was never allowed to wear socks; and so I would lift one leg up and warm my foot on the thigh of the other leg, doing this over and over again so that I was always standing on one leg. That’s how I got the nickname “Crane.”
Context & Understanding
Old Photos of Japan’s unusual balance and presentation of these three pillars—rare vintage images, in-depth research, authentic voices—bring this period to life and give you context and understanding.
This matters because the past is not a story that came to an end, but an ongoing process that determines who we are today and will be tomorrow.
Old Photos of Japan is your very own personal museum for Japan’s visual heritage of daily life between the 1850s and 1960s.