Tokyo c. 1891

This hand-colored albumen print, "Tokyo," was made at the turn of the century, by the Japanese photographer Tamamura Kozaburo. It’s a view of Tokyo from a high vantage point, with a twisted pine tree dramatically framing the scene. The image is suffused with a muted, almost melancholic light. It invites us to consider the complex relationship between tradition and modernity in Meiji-era Japan. Kozaburo's positioning in the history of photography is interesting: he catered to Western tastes by producing images of Japan as an exotic land, while also being one of the first to employ modern photographic techniques. Look closely, and you'll notice a church steeple amidst the traditional Japanese architecture, a stark reminder of the growing Western influence during that period. The image operates in the space between the gaze of the outsider and the lived experience of those within. It's a poignant reflection on cultural identity and the negotiation of tradition in the face of change.