A brief introduction to Meiji-era photographs and to the world in which they flourished. Three essays and dozens of images explore the social function of these photos, their remarkable artistry, and the personal stories of those who collected and preserved these images.
MeijiShowa
License all the photos on this site at our boutique photo agency for vintage photographs, illustrations and maps of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s (Meiji, Taisho, early Showa)
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# 71204-0002 Tokyo 1890s Koamicho, Nihonbashi Meiji City Views Transport Kazumasa Ogawa Collotype Print Kazumasa Ogawa |
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# 71204-0006 Tokyo 1890s Streetcar in Ueno Meiji City Views Transport Kazumasa Ogawa Collotype Print Kazumasa Ogawa |
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# 71204-0003 Tokyo 1890s Geisha Houses, Shinbashi Meiji City Views Kazumasa Ogawa Collotype Print Kazumasa Ogawa |
@Kim The white building is the Ishihara Tokeiten (石原時計店). This was a well-known retailer of watches …
What is the tall building?
@Jim Clinefelter Thanks, Jim. I love it when photographers leave their name card like that! Yamamoto’s studio …
The clue to who took this image is the kanji on the man’s haori, 寫山茂堂 …
高橋様 明治5年(1872年)、明治天皇の西国御巡幸の際、宮内省御用掛の写真師第一号として随行し、内田九一は長崎を訪れたので、日付を1872年に変更しました。