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

Japan’s indigenous people, the Ainu, inhabited Hokkaido, the Kurile Islands, southern Sakhalin Island, and a portion of northern Honshu. They had a unique culture and language, completely separate from that of the Japanese. By the middle of the 19th century, the destruction of this ancient culture was set in motion by Japan’s national government.


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New York State Education Department

Furniture Store in Kyoto, Japan (May 1934). # 80122-0015
Kyoto 1934 • Furniture Store
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
The Bund in Kobe, Japan (1930). # 80122-0013
Kobe 1930 • The Bund
Showa •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan. Kobe. Boats and Warehouses in Port (1930). # 80122-0004
Kobe 1930 • Warehouses in Port
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Municipal Building, Kyoto, Japan (May 1934). # 80122-0012
Kyoto 1934 • City Hall
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Koinobori Streamers and Typical Rural Houses near Nara, Japan (May 1934). # 80122-0014
Nara 1934 • Rural Houses
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Benten-dori in Yokohama, Japan (1930). # 80122-0010
Yokohama 1930 • Bentendori
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Women Washing Clothes in Small Tubs at Public Washing Place in Kamakura, Japan (1930). # 80122-0008
1930 • Washing Clothes
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Cars and Street Cars on Ginza, Tokyo (May 1934). # 80122-0006
Tokyo 1934 • Traffic in Nihonbashi
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan. Tokyo. Approach to Asakusa Park and Temple, Toy and Curio Shops (May 1934). # 80121-0011
Tokyo 1934 • Asakusa Nakamise
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan, Tokaido Highway about 30 Miles from Yokohama (1930). # 80122-0003
Tokaido 1930 • Car on the Tokaido
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan. Miyajima. Fishing Boats (1930). # 80121-0020
Miyajima 1930 • Fishing Boats
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan. Man and Two Women Having Tea Inside Room. # 80121-0012
1920s • Having Tea
Taisho • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
s.s. Malolo and other Steamers and Liners in Yokohama Harbor, Japan (October 1929). # 80121-0013
Yokohama 1929 • Ships in Port
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department
Japan. Kyoto. Kyogoku Theater Street (May 1934). # 80121-0010
Kyoto 1934 • Kyogoku Theater Street
Showa • •
Unknown • Glass Slide • New York State Education Department