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A chronological coverage of samurai history detailing the main battles, personnel, weaponry and fortifications. Line drawings of fortifications and armor, and photographs of battle re-enactments conducted by historical re-enactment societies bring the battles back to life.
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1930s • Kimono, but Modern Hairstyle
While this woman still wears a kimono in this studio photo, her hairstyle is thoroughly modern. This is very likely to have been an omiai photograph. At omiai (お見合い), two single people are introduced to each other to consider marriage. Around the time that this photo was taken, some 70% of Japanese marriages were established through omiai.1
The practice was started among samurai during the 16th century to establish and cement alliances among clans. It later spread to other social classes.
After the end of WWII, the custom of omiai was slowly but surely overtaken by a new custom: love marriages (恋愛, renai). However, even today, between 10 and 30% of Japanese marriages are still born out of omiai.
For more information about modern Japanese women, see 1930s • Woman with Modern Hairdo.
1 古き良きお見合い. お見合いの歴史を紐解く. Retrieved on 2009-05-04.
2 Professor’s House. Arranged Marriages in Japan. Retrieved on 2009-05-04.
Japanese Furniture
Asian-inspired furniture and kitchen cabinets from greentea design
Publisher: T.G. Ariga
Medium: Silver Gelatin Print
Image Number: 80130-0002
Quote this number when you contact us about licensing this image
Paste this into your blog to let your readers know about this vintage photo of Japan:
While this woman still wears a kimono in this studio photo, her hairstyle is thoroughly modern. This is very likely to have been an omiai photograph. At omiai (お見合い), two single people are introduced to each other to consider marriage. Around the time that this photo was taken, some 70% of Japanese marriages were established through omiai.
OldPhotosJapan.com — a photo blog about old Japan that reads like a book and works like an archive. All the photographs are from the Kjeld Duits Collection and available for licensing. Contact us when you need historical, or current, photos of Japan for your newspaper article, book, documentary, interior design, room decoration, package design, advertising or other project.