Gezicht op een laan met Japanse ceders in Nikko c. 1895 - 1905

This photograph of Japanese cedars in Nikko was made by Kōzaburō Tamamura, who lived from 1856 to 1923. Tamamura wasn't just a photographer; he was a businessman, catering to the late 19th-century tourist trade. He hand-colored photographs, giving them a painterly quality that would appeal to Western tastes. Notice how the texture of the photographic paper is almost completely disguised by the layers of pigment, transforming the image into something between a print and a painting. This painstaking process, involving the labor of many artisans in Tamamura's studio, reflects a broader trend of adapting Japanese crafts to meet global market demands. The image's social significance lies in its reflection of cultural exchange, commerce, and the transformation of traditional practices in response to a rapidly changing world. It’s a fascinating example of how “fine art” photography could be skillfully combined with craft to create an attractive commodity. This challenges the traditional distinction between art and craft.