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Nagasaki, 1865
Dejima Island
A rare early photograph of Dejima, the fan-shaped artificial island in Nagasaki. Dejima played a critical—but now largely forgotten—role in the opening of Japan to the outside world.
1890s
Selling Insect Musicians
A studio photo of maiko posing in front of the portable street stand of a singing insect vendor. Vendors sold a variety of insects changing with each season.
1900s
"The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage"
A Japanese bride arrives at the groom’s house. Photographer Teijiro Takagi published this scene in 1905 (Meiji 38) in a photo book about Japanese weddings, The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage. This article reproduces his book.
1930s
Off to War
A Japanese family poses stoically to “celebrate” a male family member being sent off to war during the late 1930s, or early 1940s. The banners bear his name.
1910s
Headman, Hunter, Fox
The game that these two young women are playing was once the most popular game in Japan, known by all. Now few people have even heard of its name.
