Hand-colored Japanese Photography in the Bakumatsu and Meiji Eras

• Explore Japan's rich history through 150 Hand-Colored Photographs
• Journey through Bakumatsu-Meiji Era with captivating visuals
• Witness exceptional coloring techniques of historical photographs
• Experience the unique beauty of Hand-Colored Photography exhibition

After the opening of Japan to the world, from the Bakumatsu to the Meiji Era, people from various foreign countries began to visit Japan. Responding to their demand who saw unknown Japanese culture, the photo studio of Felice Beato, Raimund von Stillfried, Shuzaburo Usui, Kimbei Kusakabe, Adolfo Farsari, and Kōzaburō Tamamura sold photographs of Japanese landmarks and customs. Often, each of these photographs was painted delicately, making the "Hand-Colored Photography" that could be mistaken for color photographs, and was bound into an album with a gorgeous Maki-e cover. The selection of objects, skillful composition and beautiful coloring create an image of JAPAN, the mystery of the Orient, rather than the real Japan itself. Through these photographs, we can learn what interested foreigners about Japan at that time, and what they wanted to keep in their possession in the form of photographs and take home as souvenirs