OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN, a photo blog of Japan in the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods

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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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10/12/2009 (Monday) Captain Bickel on deck of new Fukuin Maru

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Ainu: Spirit of a Northern People • William W. Fitzhugh et al

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1890s • Women at Kotatsu

Two women are sitting at a kotatsu, a low, wooden table with a heat source covered by a futon. One of the women is reading. Next to her is an andon lamp. It looks really cozy. You can imagine it is a cold day and that there is a little cat all curled up under the table in the warm comfort of the heater.

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Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Medium: Albumen Print
Image Number: 80129-0020
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<a href="http://oldphotosjapan.com/en/photos/218/women-at-kotatsu">1890s • Women at Kotatsu</a>

Two women are sitting at a kotatsu, a low, wooden table with a  heat source covered by a futon. One of the women is reading. Next to her is an andon lamp. It looks really cozy. You can imagine it is a cold day and that there is a little cat all curled up under the table in the warm comfort of the heater.

Thumbnail URL: http://oldphotosjapan.com/images/326t.jpg

Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2008-04-18

« Okosozukin and Furoshiki • Woman Carrying Charcoal »

Add Comment

I sat in a home in Uwajima during the winter that had one of these. Very warm and comfortable. We just sat around and talked.

# Mr. T · 2008-04-23

They truly are wonderful, aren’t they? I would love to move out of my modern apartment into a traditional home, cold, drafty and all, just to enjoy the coziness of the kotatsu.

# Kjeld Duits · 2008-04-23