Untitled c. 1891

This hand-colored albumen print was made in Japan, around the turn of the twentieth century, by Tamamura Kozaburō’s studio. The image presents a bird's-eye view of a Japanese town, likely a commercial center, with rows of tiled-roof buildings lining a central street. This photograph encapsulates the visual codes of Meiji-era Japan. The Meiji period, from 1868 to 1912, marked a time of rapid modernization and Westernization, yet the image retains a sense of traditional Japanese life. The very act of photographing and hand-coloring scenes like this served a dual purpose: it catered to Western fascination with the ‘exotic’ East, and it documented a way of life that was quickly disappearing. The inclusion of natural elements alongside the man-made structures also reflects the ongoing negotiation between nature and urban development. Understanding the role of photography in shaping global perceptions, particularly during periods of cultural exchange, requires us to examine not only the image itself, but also the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and consumed.