#PE37
Ca. 1900s
Oblong Octavo (ca. 18.5 x 13 cm or 7 ¼ x 5 ¼ in). 25 cardstock leaves put together in an accordion-like manner. 52 mounted albumen photographs ca. 13 x 8.5 cm (5 ¼ x 3 ¼ in). 18 photographs with English captions in negative. Original Japanese lacquered album with pictorial image on front board. Both boards mildly rubbed on extremities; leaves slightly rubbed on extremities; a few photos mildly faded, but overall a very good album.
A beautiful, lacquered album with an image of a geisha in a rickshaw on the front cover, containing 52 hand-coloured albumen photographs of Japan at the turn of the century.
Over 15 photographs show cities in Japan, with general panoramic views from above, and those showing Yokohama (canals and view of street from Yokohama Station) and Nagasaki (Nakajima River, “Shimitoge”). Several street scenes are also shown, including a storefront for “Finest Manila and Havannh [sic] Cigars” and market stalls for salted fish and second-hand cloth. One photograph shows a woman in a palanquin before the Hafuya Hotel (in Hakone, Kanagawa). Another shows Mt. Fuji from Tagonoura Bay.
Several photographs show temples and shrines, including Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto, Nikkō Tōshō-gū, and the interior of a Buddhist temple. There is also a large group portrait of festival performers in front of a bell tower. Another photograph shows a Japanese castle, likely Nagoya Castle.
Over 20 photographs show scenes of life. Several are portraits of geisha and trainees doing various activities (weaving, making tea, playing instruments, etc.) or posing. Two photographs show a traditional marriage and funeral. Three show labourers transplanting rice, harvesting tea leaves, and picking cotton.
Overall, a lively collection of hand-colored albumen photographs showing Japan, mounted in a keepsake lacquered album.
