These photographs provide a glimpse into life in Imperial Japan — a tour through the lives of the country’s poorest and most glamorous.
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31 Imperial Russia Photos That Reveal History In Stunning Color
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1 of 51A torii gate stands over the streets of Yenoshima.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 2 of 51A thick bamboo grove towers above the heads of a band of travelers.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 3 of 51A Buddhist warrior monk, wearing his clerical robes over his armor.
Tokyo. 1895.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 51Four samurai warriors, showing off the diversity of weapons they used.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 51A farmer in a mino, a straw cape meant to protect him from the rain.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 6 of 51Peasants work picking tea, while a temple looms behind them.
Yuzi. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 7 of 51A Japanese man shows off the tattoos that cover his body.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 51An old Japanese village, photographed from above.
Arima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 9 of 51A vendor sells his goods on the street.
Tokyo. Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 10 of 51The Nagoya Castle.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 11 of 51A man watches the sea from inside a rock formation.
Matsushima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 12 of 51A traveling candy seller.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 13 of 51A child stands in a clothing shop.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 14 of 51Men at work making a tub.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 15 of 51An old vegetable peddler shows off his selection to a customer.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 51A tea house in Nakasendo.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 17 of 51Four peasants carry a wealthy woman in a traveling chair, called a kago.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 18 of 51The Metaki Waterfall.
Kobe. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 19 of 51A tea house sits near a canal.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 20 of 51Two monks stand before a Buddhist statue.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 21 of 51An empty street in an old Japanese town.
Ikaho. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 22 of 51A woman puts on makeup and gets ready for her day.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 51One woman helps another braid her hair.
Circa 1880s.Nationaal Archief 24 of 51Two upper-class women bend down to feed some chickens.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 25 of 51The workers in a kitchen prepare dinner.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 26 of 51Porters carry a woman in a kago.
Circa 1863-1877.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 51Several people prepare to set sail.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 28 of 51A boat full of people travels down the Sumida River.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 29 of 51Workers draw water from a well.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 30 of 51An elderly couple seated before a painted background, acting out a scene of sitting by the roadside to rest.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 31 of 51Peasants at work threshing rice.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 32 of 51A samurai warrior with his hair in a “chonmage” topknot.
Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 33 of 51A bridge sits over a calm river.
Nagasaki. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 34 of 51A fireman sets up a letter by a tea house as part of a drill.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 35 of 51Members of the fire brigade compete, performing stunts on ladders extended to the sky.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 36 of 51A craftsman builds samisens, a traditional Japanese lute.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 37 of 51Young boys play a game in the courtyard.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 38 of 51A street full of theaters, filled with banners advertising the shows inside.
Yokohama. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 39 of 51A crowd lines up outside a theater, eager to see the performance within.
Osaka. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 40 of 51Four kabuki actors dressed as samurai.
1880.Wikimedia Commons 41 of 51Some incredibly flexible boys perform a rope dance.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 42 of 51Three dancers pose for the camera.
Circa 1880-1890.Wikimedia Commons 43 of 51A man gets down on his knees in prayer at the steps of a temple.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 44 of 51Four young pilgrims stand before a shrine.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 45 of 51A lone man sits on a rock, overlooking the running water.
Nikko. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 46 of 51Women enjoy the flowers in a peony garden.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 47 of 51A game of Go.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 48 of 51Two kago bearers carry a wealthy woman around.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 49 of 51A man walks along the Kisogawa River.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 50 of 51A man walks along a road that winds up a mountainside.
Ashio. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 51 of 51Like this gallery?Share it:
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The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era View Gallery
Before Japan was an island overflowing with towering metropolises, it was a quieter place, where thatched rooftops covered the homes and great rolling, green forests filled the horizon.
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31 Imperial Russia Photos That Reveal History In Stunning Color
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1 of 51A torii gate stands over the streets of Yenoshima.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 2 of 51A thick bamboo grove towers above the heads of a band of travelers.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 3 of 51A Buddhist warrior monk, wearing his clerical robes over his armor.
Tokyo. 1895.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 51Four samurai warriors, showing off the diversity of weapons they used.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 51A farmer in a mino, a straw cape meant to protect him from the rain.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 6 of 51Peasants work picking tea, while a temple looms behind them.
Yuzi. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 7 of 51A Japanese man shows off the tattoos that cover his body.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 51An old Japanese village, photographed from above.
Arima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 9 of 51A vendor sells his goods on the street.
Tokyo. Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 10 of 51The Nagoya Castle.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 11 of 51A man watches the sea from inside a rock formation.
Matsushima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 12 of 51A traveling candy seller.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 13 of 51A child stands in a clothing shop.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 14 of 51Men at work making a tub.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 15 of 51An old vegetable peddler shows off his selection to a customer.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 51A tea house in Nakasendo.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 17 of 51Four peasants carry a wealthy woman in a traveling chair, called a kago.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 18 of 51The Metaki Waterfall.
Kobe. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 19 of 51A tea house sits near a canal.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 20 of 51Two monks stand before a Buddhist statue.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 21 of 51An empty street in an old Japanese town.
Ikaho. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 22 of 51A woman puts on makeup and gets ready for her day.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 51One woman helps another braid her hair.
Circa 1880s.Nationaal Archief 24 of 51Two upper-class women bend down to feed some chickens.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 25 of 51The workers in a kitchen prepare dinner.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 26 of 51Porters carry a woman in a kago.
Circa 1863-1877.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 51Several people prepare to set sail.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 28 of 51A boat full of people travels down the Sumida River.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 29 of 51Workers draw water from a well.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 30 of 51An elderly couple seated before a painted background, acting out a scene of sitting by the roadside to rest.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 31 of 51Peasants at work threshing rice.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 32 of 51A samurai warrior with his hair in a “chonmage” topknot.
Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 33 of 51A bridge sits over a calm river.
Nagasaki. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 34 of 51A fireman sets up a letter by a tea house as part of a drill.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 35 of 51Members of the fire brigade compete, performing stunts on ladders extended to the sky.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 36 of 51A craftsman builds samisens, a traditional Japanese lute.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 37 of 51Young boys play a game in the courtyard.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 38 of 51A street full of theaters, filled with banners advertising the shows inside.
Yokohama. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 39 of 51A crowd lines up outside a theater, eager to see the performance within.
Osaka. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 40 of 51Four kabuki actors dressed as samurai.
1880.Wikimedia Commons 41 of 51Some incredibly flexible boys perform a rope dance.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 42 of 51Three dancers pose for the camera.
Circa 1880-1890.Wikimedia Commons 43 of 51A man gets down on his knees in prayer at the steps of a temple.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 44 of 51Four young pilgrims stand before a shrine.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 45 of 51A lone man sits on a rock, overlooking the running water.
Nikko. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 46 of 51Women enjoy the flowers in a peony garden.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 47 of 51A game of Go.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 48 of 51Two kago bearers carry a wealthy woman around.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 49 of 51A man walks along the Kisogawa River.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 50 of 51A man walks along a road that winds up a mountainside.
Ashio. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 51 of 51Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
31 Imperial Russia Photos That Reveal History In Stunning Color
The Outrageous Story Of Imperial Japan’s Plot To Import Jewish Refugees Based On An Anti-Semitic Hoax
46 Fascinating Photos Of 1960s Afghanistan Before The Taliban
1 of 51A torii gate stands over the streets of Yenoshima.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 2 of 51A thick bamboo grove towers above the heads of a band of travelers.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 3 of 51A Buddhist warrior monk, wearing his clerical robes over his armor.
Tokyo. 1895.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 51Four samurai warriors, showing off the diversity of weapons they used.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 51A farmer in a mino, a straw cape meant to protect him from the rain.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 6 of 51Peasants work picking tea, while a temple looms behind them.
Yuzi. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 7 of 51A Japanese man shows off the tattoos that cover his body.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 51An old Japanese village, photographed from above.
Arima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 9 of 51A vendor sells his goods on the street.
Tokyo. Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 10 of 51The Nagoya Castle.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 11 of 51A man watches the sea from inside a rock formation.
Matsushima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 12 of 51A traveling candy seller.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 13 of 51A child stands in a clothing shop.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 14 of 51Men at work making a tub.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 15 of 51An old vegetable peddler shows off his selection to a customer.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 51A tea house in Nakasendo.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 17 of 51Four peasants carry a wealthy woman in a traveling chair, called a kago.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 18 of 51The Metaki Waterfall.
Kobe. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 19 of 51A tea house sits near a canal.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 20 of 51Two monks stand before a Buddhist statue.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 21 of 51An empty street in an old Japanese town.
Ikaho. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 22 of 51A woman puts on makeup and gets ready for her day.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 51One woman helps another braid her hair.
Circa 1880s.Nationaal Archief 24 of 51Two upper-class women bend down to feed some chickens.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 25 of 51The workers in a kitchen prepare dinner.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 26 of 51Porters carry a woman in a kago.
Circa 1863-1877.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 51Several people prepare to set sail.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 28 of 51A boat full of people travels down the Sumida River.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 29 of 51Workers draw water from a well.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 30 of 51An elderly couple seated before a painted background, acting out a scene of sitting by the roadside to rest.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 31 of 51Peasants at work threshing rice.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 32 of 51A samurai warrior with his hair in a “chonmage” topknot.
Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 33 of 51A bridge sits over a calm river.
Nagasaki. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 34 of 51A fireman sets up a letter by a tea house as part of a drill.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 35 of 51Members of the fire brigade compete, performing stunts on ladders extended to the sky.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 36 of 51A craftsman builds samisens, a traditional Japanese lute.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 37 of 51Young boys play a game in the courtyard.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 38 of 51A street full of theaters, filled with banners advertising the shows inside.
Yokohama. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 39 of 51A crowd lines up outside a theater, eager to see the performance within.
Osaka. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 40 of 51Four kabuki actors dressed as samurai.
1880.Wikimedia Commons 41 of 51Some incredibly flexible boys perform a rope dance.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 42 of 51Three dancers pose for the camera.
Circa 1880-1890.Wikimedia Commons 43 of 51A man gets down on his knees in prayer at the steps of a temple.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 44 of 51Four young pilgrims stand before a shrine.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 45 of 51A lone man sits on a rock, overlooking the running water.
Nikko. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 46 of 51Women enjoy the flowers in a peony garden.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 47 of 51A game of Go.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 48 of 51Two kago bearers carry a wealthy woman around.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 49 of 51A man walks along the Kisogawa River.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 50 of 51A man walks along a road that winds up a mountainside.
Ashio. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 51 of 51Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
31 Imperial Russia Photos That Reveal History In Stunning Color
The Outrageous Story Of Imperial Japan’s Plot To Import Jewish Refugees Based On An Anti-Semitic Hoax
46 Fascinating Photos Of 1960s Afghanistan Before The Taliban
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1 of 51A torii gate stands over the streets of Yenoshima.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 2 of 51A thick bamboo grove towers above the heads of a band of travelers.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 3 of 51A Buddhist warrior monk, wearing his clerical robes over his armor.
Tokyo. 1895.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 51Four samurai warriors, showing off the diversity of weapons they used.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 51A farmer in a mino, a straw cape meant to protect him from the rain.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 6 of 51Peasants work picking tea, while a temple looms behind them.
Yuzi. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 7 of 51A Japanese man shows off the tattoos that cover his body.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 51An old Japanese village, photographed from above.
Arima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 9 of 51A vendor sells his goods on the street.
Tokyo. Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 10 of 51The Nagoya Castle.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 11 of 51A man watches the sea from inside a rock formation.
Matsushima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 12 of 51A traveling candy seller.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 13 of 51A child stands in a clothing shop.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 14 of 51Men at work making a tub.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 15 of 51An old vegetable peddler shows off his selection to a customer.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 51A tea house in Nakasendo.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 17 of 51Four peasants carry a wealthy woman in a traveling chair, called a kago.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 18 of 51The Metaki Waterfall.
Kobe. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 19 of 51A tea house sits near a canal.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 20 of 51Two monks stand before a Buddhist statue.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 21 of 51An empty street in an old Japanese town.
Ikaho. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 22 of 51A woman puts on makeup and gets ready for her day.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 51One woman helps another braid her hair.
Circa 1880s.Nationaal Archief 24 of 51Two upper-class women bend down to feed some chickens.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 25 of 51The workers in a kitchen prepare dinner.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 26 of 51Porters carry a woman in a kago.
Circa 1863-1877.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 51Several people prepare to set sail.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 28 of 51A boat full of people travels down the Sumida River.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 29 of 51Workers draw water from a well.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 30 of 51An elderly couple seated before a painted background, acting out a scene of sitting by the roadside to rest.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 31 of 51Peasants at work threshing rice.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 32 of 51A samurai warrior with his hair in a “chonmage” topknot.
Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons 33 of 51A bridge sits over a calm river.
Nagasaki. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 34 of 51A fireman sets up a letter by a tea house as part of a drill.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 35 of 51Members of the fire brigade compete, performing stunts on ladders extended to the sky.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 36 of 51A craftsman builds samisens, a traditional Japanese lute.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 37 of 51Young boys play a game in the courtyard.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 38 of 51A street full of theaters, filled with banners advertising the shows inside.
Yokohama. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 39 of 51A crowd lines up outside a theater, eager to see the performance within.
Osaka. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 40 of 51Four kabuki actors dressed as samurai.
1880.Wikimedia Commons 41 of 51Some incredibly flexible boys perform a rope dance.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 42 of 51Three dancers pose for the camera.
Circa 1880-1890.Wikimedia Commons 43 of 51A man gets down on his knees in prayer at the steps of a temple.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 44 of 51Four young pilgrims stand before a shrine.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 45 of 51A lone man sits on a rock, overlooking the running water.
Nikko. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 46 of 51Women enjoy the flowers in a peony garden.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 47 of 51A game of Go.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 48 of 51Two kago bearers carry a wealthy woman around.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts 49 of 51A man walks along the Kisogawa River.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 50 of 51A man walks along a road that winds up a mountainside.
Ashio. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library 51 of 51Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
1 of 51A torii gate stands over the streets of Yenoshima.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
2 of 51A thick bamboo grove towers above the heads of a band of travelers.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
3 of 51A Buddhist warrior monk, wearing his clerical robes over his armor.
Tokyo. 1895.Wikimedia Commons
4 of 51Four samurai warriors, showing off the diversity of weapons they used.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons
5 of 51A farmer in a mino, a straw cape meant to protect him from the rain.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
6 of 51Peasants work picking tea, while a temple looms behind them.
Yuzi. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
7 of 51A Japanese man shows off the tattoos that cover his body.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons
8 of 51An old Japanese village, photographed from above.
Arima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
9 of 51A vendor sells his goods on the street.
Tokyo. Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
10 of 51The Nagoya Castle.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
11 of 51A man watches the sea from inside a rock formation.
Matsushima. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
12 of 51A traveling candy seller.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
13 of 51A child stands in a clothing shop.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
14 of 51Men at work making a tub.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
15 of 51An old vegetable peddler shows off his selection to a customer.
Circa 1880s.Wikimedia Commons
16 of 51A tea house in Nakasendo.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
17 of 51Four peasants carry a wealthy woman in a traveling chair, called a kago.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
18 of 51The Metaki Waterfall.
Kobe. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
19 of 51A tea house sits near a canal.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
20 of 51Two monks stand before a Buddhist statue.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
21 of 51An empty street in an old Japanese town.
Ikaho. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
22 of 51A woman puts on makeup and gets ready for her day.
Yokohama. Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons
23 of 51One woman helps another braid her hair.
Circa 1880s.Nationaal Archief
24 of 51Two upper-class women bend down to feed some chickens.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
25 of 51The workers in a kitchen prepare dinner.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
26 of 51Porters carry a woman in a kago.
Circa 1863-1877.Wikimedia Commons
27 of 51Several people prepare to set sail.
Kyoto. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
28 of 51A boat full of people travels down the Sumida River.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
29 of 51Workers draw water from a well.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
30 of 51An elderly couple seated before a painted background, acting out a scene of sitting by the roadside to rest.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
31 of 51Peasants at work threshing rice.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
32 of 51A samurai warrior with his hair in a “chonmage” topknot.
Circa 1890s.Wikimedia Commons
33 of 51A bridge sits over a calm river.
Nagasaki. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
34 of 51A fireman sets up a letter by a tea house as part of a drill.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
35 of 51Members of the fire brigade compete, performing stunts on ladders extended to the sky.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
36 of 51A craftsman builds samisens, a traditional Japanese lute.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
37 of 51Young boys play a game in the courtyard.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
38 of 51A street full of theaters, filled with banners advertising the shows inside.
Yokohama. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
39 of 51A crowd lines up outside a theater, eager to see the performance within.
Osaka. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
40 of 51Four kabuki actors dressed as samurai.
1880.Wikimedia Commons
41 of 51Some incredibly flexible boys perform a rope dance.
Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
42 of 51Three dancers pose for the camera.
Circa 1880-1890.Wikimedia Commons
43 of 51A man gets down on his knees in prayer at the steps of a temple.
Tokyo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
44 of 51Four young pilgrims stand before a shrine.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
45 of 51A lone man sits on a rock, overlooking the running water.
Nikko. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
46 of 51Women enjoy the flowers in a peony garden.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
47 of 51A game of Go.
Circa 1880-1890.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
48 of 51Two kago bearers carry a wealthy woman around.
Circa 1890s.Flickr/Museum of Photographic Arts
49 of 51A man walks along the Kisogawa River.
Nakasendo. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
50 of 51A man walks along a road that winds up a mountainside.
Ashio. Circa 1880-1890.New York Public Library
51 of 51Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era View Gallery
The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era View Gallery
The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era View Gallery
The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era View Gallery
The Old Japan: 50 Fascinating Photos From The Imperial Era
View Gallery
Imperial Japan looked unlike any place in the world today — certainly the country that now stands on the same ground. It is a place that lives on only in stories and photographs.
These photographs are the best glimpses we have of what life was like in Imperial Japan – photographs from the late 19th century, taken during the Meiji Restoration Era.
By then, the early cracks in the old Japan were already starting to form, and Western thought was seeping in. The Empire was being reshaped in the image of Western nations. A constitutional monarchy was formed, the samurai were abolished, and the royal court started to dress in Western clothes.
Yet despite it all, little pieces of Japan’s distinct culture still lingered on.
The photographs from this era provide a look at the world that is now a memory, a look into the streets of Imperial Japan, where one-story homes with thatched roofs flanked streets filled with vendors who carried their goods on their backs.
Late 19th-century photographs allow us to tour the old Japan, from the poorest and meanest forms of life to the most glamorous. We can see the lives of the Japanese peasants who covered themselves with straw for protection from the rain while they got down on their hands and their knees to harvest rice and tea leaves. Yet we can also see the lives of the wealthy elite, living in the massive stone palaces that towered over the country, where women dressed in kimonos and painted their faces white before being carried about in baskets held up by peasant workers.
These photographs are our window into Imperial Japan: a world that once was, but will never be again.
Next, check out this glimpse of life in Qing dynasty China, before the country’s communist transformation. Then, see these gorgeous vintage photos of the last samurai.
