Handkar in een straat te Japan before 1892

This image, found in a book, shows a handcart in a street in Japan and was made by William Kinnimond Burton, likely in the late 19th century. Burton was a British engineer and photographer who spent many years in Japan, documenting its people and landscapes. The image presents a snapshot of everyday life, highlighting the economic realities of the time. The handcart, pulled by laborers, suggests a society reliant on manual labor and perhaps limited infrastructure. The surrounding buildings, though not clearly visible, may offer clues about the urban environment and social stratification. Consider the institutional context: Photography at this time was becoming more accessible, and images like these were circulated to inform and shape perceptions of Japan among Western audiences. We can research further into photographic archives, travel writings and colonial records to understand the cultural exchange and power dynamics at play. The study of images as historical documents allows us to reflect on the relationship between representation and reality.