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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12/31/2026 (Thursday)

Art And Artifice: Japanese Photographs Of The Meiji Era • Sebastian Dobson, Anne Nishimura Morse, Frederic Sharf

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.

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Tags: Unknown • Taisho • Outside • People • Rural
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Three women and four children stand in front of a large water powered grist mill with a thatched roof. Water powered mills of all sizes were extremely common in Japan, a mountainous country blessed with much rainfall.

This glass slide is one of a series of slides of Japan that was used by the New York State Education Department to teach students about Japan.

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Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: New York State Education Department
Medium: Glass Slide
Image Number: 80121-0009
Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image

Thumbnail URL: http://oldphotosjapan.com/images/213t.jpg

Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2008-10-16

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