Wisteria-tuin in Kameido, Tokyo 1900 - 1907

Curator: This stereoscopic albumen print captures a tranquil moment. It's attributed to T. Enami and is titled "Wisteria Garden at Kameido, Tokyo," likely created between 1900 and 1907. The process of creating stereoscopic images would have required specialized cameras and printing techniques, indicative of a deliberate attempt to create a sense of depth and realism for its viewers. Editor: It's lovely. The soft greys and muted tones give it a wistful, dreamlike quality. The composition draws you in – those figures gazing down… what do you think they see? Curator: Perhaps they’re observing koi in the pond? The scene itself is carefully constructed. This particular print, made with albumen, uses egg whites as a binding agent for the photographic chemicals. It gave a fine detail and a smooth surface but was a labor intensive process, affecting who could produce such images, and who had access to owning and viewing them. This hints at the rise of photographic tourism and the West’s fascination with Japanese gardens and culture at the turn of the century. Editor: Exactly. Japonisme was raging! The photographic image, much like Japanese woodblock prints, became a coveted item within Western collections, impacting not just perceptions of the East, but how Japanese artisans and photographers strategically catered to this growing international market. How did that affect artistic traditions? Curator: I'd argue it likely spurred innovation and adaptation within Japanese photographic circles. Photographers like Enami had to balance authentic representations with the demands of the Western gaze, thus changing subject and consumption to stay in business and stay afloat.. He’s not just passively documenting a scene; he’s actively shaping a narrative. Editor: That's key – the narrative! It shows how a simple image circulated within specific social contexts. Curator: Definitely, these prints, meant for stereoscopes, were products tailored to engage middle-class consumers back in the West. Editor: Fascinating, a scene both captured and constructed for its intended audience, transforming the experience into something that is more complex and multi-layered.