Gezicht op de haven van Yokohama c. 1895 - 1905

This serene view of Yokohama Harbor was captured by Kōzaburō Tamamura through the lens of his camera. The masts of ships punctuate the horizon, rising above the water like trees in a forest. The ship, a vessel for trade, exploration, and conquest, carries rich symbolism. Since ancient times, vessels have been a symbol of transition, ferrying souls across the river Styx and the turbulent seas of life. Think of the Ship of Fools, a symbol of humanity adrift, directionless. Yet, the ship is also a beacon of hope, promising new lands and new beginnings. It embodies both our fears of the unknown and our boundless dreams of discovery. Here, in Tamamura’s photograph, the ships rest calmly, reflecting the aspirations and anxieties of a rapidly modernizing Japan. As cultures converge, the ship remains a potent reminder of our interconnectedness, carrying the weight of history on its decks. This image lingers in our collective memory, a symbol forever caught between departure and arrival.