Key Photograph Reference Works
(Mostly Meiji Era Related)
Note 1a.
Bennett, Terry:
Old Japanese Photographs Collectors' Data Guide, London, Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 2006, © Terry Bennett, 8vo, navy blue cloth with gilt title on spine, dust jacket, 308 pp. A must for the person interested in Meiji era photography and photographers. This work will, no doubt, become a standard reference for the collector and student of early photography in Japan. The book spans the period from the importation of the first camera into Japan (1848) through the death of the Emperor Meiji in 1912. It includes sections with old and new articles on photography in Japan, important research data (including Masonic photographers in Japan), numerically sequenced listings, by photograph studio, of over 4,000 photographs (numbers and captions are provided in the listings), a comprehensive index of Japan related stereoview photographers and publishers (350+) during the period of 1859-1912 by Rob Oechsle and reprints of photograph studio advertisements found in publications of the period. The index of stereoview photographers and publishers is supplemented in the research data section of the book with detailed numerical/caption lists of Japan related stereoviews in 13 different sets. ISBN: 0955085241.
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Note 1b.
Bennett, Terry:
Photography in Japan 1853-1912, Singapore, Tokyo, Rutland, Vermont, Tuttle Publishing, 2006, © Terry Bennett, 4to (9 1/2 x 12 3/8 in - 24 x 31.3 cm), gold colored hard covers with white lettering on front and spine, illustrated dust jacket, numerous color reproductions, 320 pp. The definitive English language history of photography in Japan through the end of the Meiji era (1912). The book presents the photo-history of Japan from early photographic experiments and the recording of the first photographic images (1850s), to the establishment of studios by Westerners in newly opened Japan (1860s), to the emergence of major competition by Japanese photographs (1870s), to the decline of Western studios (1880s), to the domination by Japanese studios (1890s) and finally to the full control by Japanese studios (1900s). In this context, Terry Bennett discusses the key photographers and photographic entrepreneurs and presents an amazing amount of biographical information. Reproductions of stunning photographs, many in color, supplement the biographies of the key actors. The book contains reproductions of approximately 400 images (primarily photographs) and the publisher asserts that over 50% are published for the first time in this book. Here you will find biographies of the well know photographers as well the much lesser know individuals who played important roles in the development of photography in Japan. This book will, no doubt, become a cornerstone in the research/reference library of those interested in photography in Meiji era Japan. It is a companion book to "Old Japanese Photographs Collector's Data Guide" by Bennett which was also released in November 2006. That book provides a wealth of detailed information on specific Japanese souvenir albums and attributing photographs to key studios. That book also provides a vast amount of information on attributing Japan related stereoviews to photographs/publishers. These two books are indispensable companions. ISBN: 0804836337.
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Note 2.
Bennett, Terry:
Early Japanese Images, Rutland, Vermont, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1996, black cloth, dust jacket, 8vo (7 3/4 in x 10 1/2 in), 138+ photographs, bibliography, appendix of photographic terms, listing of 1,000 early photographs showing title, number and in most cases attributed to a specific photographer, 168 pp. Covers the early days of photography in Japan from 1853, when Commodore Perry visited, to the end of the Meiji era in 1912. Includes commentary and examples of the work of Eliphalet Brown, Jr., Felice Beato, Baron Raimund von Stillfried-Rateniz, Adolfo Farsari, Renjo Shimooka, Hikoma Ueno, Kimbie Kusakabe, Kozaburo Tamamura, Kazumasa Ogawa, Kuichi Uchida. The listing of early Japanese photographs is an invaluable resource in identifying 19th century photographs which often had a caption and number but no indication of the photographer. ISBN: 0804820295 (hardback), ISBN: 0804820333 (softback)
Note 3.
Bennett, Terry
Cortazzi, Hugh:
Japan: Caught in Time, New York, 1995, Weatherhill, black cloth, 159 pp. Extensive coverage of 122 color and black and white photographs. These photographs are in the collection of a Russian botanist (Grigoryev) whose travels took him to Japan in 1879. Many of the photographs are attributed to the Western and Japanese photographers including von Stillfried, Usui, Suzuki, Beato. Photographs are presented in sections as follows: The Treaty Ports: Yokohama and Hakodate, Street Life, Domestic Life, Costumes and Portraits, Farming and Handicrafts and Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines. A excellent resource. In addition to the photographs, the book provides historical background on Japan and history of photography in early Japan.
Note 4.
The Nagasaki University has a database which contains hundreds of old Japanese photographs. To visit the database, click here.
Note 5.
Worswick, Clark
Morris, Jan (Introduction):
Japan: Photographs 1854-1905, New York, 1979, A Pennwick/Knopf, black cloth, large 8vo (11 1/4 x 9 1/4 in), oblong format, 117 full page plates, introductory essay by Jan Morris, notes, bibliography, sources of pictures, 151 pp. An excellent photographic reference which covers the most of the Japanese photographers/photographic work during the period from 1854-1905. Photographs are the highlight of this book. There are 117+ plates (all full page, man reproduced in color) reproducing albumen photographs, collotypes, and stereoscopic prints from this period. Several of the items reproduced were hand colored or tinted. Most plates contain a single photograph but a few have two. Includes the works of Kusakabe Kimbei, Isshin Ogawa, (aka, Kazuma/Kazumasa Ogawa), K. Tamamura, Baron von Stillfried, A. Le Bas, Felix Beato, Herbert Ponting, H.C. White and Farsari. Includes technical descriptions of photographic processes in use and an index of commercial and amateur photographers in Japan. (Also issued in softcover format).
Note 6.
Beato, Felice (Photographs)
Von Stillfried, Baron Raimund (Photographs)
Edel, Chantal (Introduction)
Coverdale, Linda (Translator)
Once Upon a Time, Visions of Old Japan, 1986, Friendly Press, first English language edition, 112 pp. Photographs by Felice Beato and Baron Raimund von Stillfried and the words of Pierre Loti. Introduction by Chantal Edel. Translated by Linda Coverdale. Originally published in French by Les Editions Arthaud, Paris, 1984. Reproductions of 72 photographs (most color) from the collection of the Societe de Geographie in Paris. While the photographs do not contain credits on them, credits and captions are suggested by Chantal Edel (attributed to Beato or Sellfried). Several of the plates span from one page to the adjoining page. Excellent resource on these high quality hand colored albumen souvenir photographs produced in Japan during the late 1800s. ISBN 0914919075 (apparently same for 1st French edition as well as this US edition.
Note 7.
Tucker, Anne Wikes
Friis-Hansen, Dana
Ryuichi, Kaneko
Joe, Takeba:
The History of Japanese Photography, New Haven, CT, and London, Yale University Press in association with The Houston Museum of Fine, 2003, red cloth with black lettering on spine, dust jacket, 4to (12 x 9 3/4 in), 405 pp. A comprehensive and profusely illustrated (200+ color and black and white plates and numerous text illustrations) survey of 150 years of photography in Japan. Includes essays by Iizawa Kotaro and Kinoshita Naoyuki. Traces the development of photography in Japan starting in the 1850s. The history of Japanese photography is placed in the context of the interaction of Japanese and Western photographers and other art forms. The best illustrated and document review of Japanese photography I have read. I consider this the keystone of a Meiji era photography reference library. ISBN: 0300099258. Other edition. London edition, 432 pp.
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Note 8.
Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography:
The Advent of Photography in Japan, published jointly by the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Tokyo and the Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido, 1997, 184 pages, soft covers in thick wraps (no hardcover issued), 4to (9 x 11 3/4 in). This book served as a guide for exhibits in Tokyo and Hakodate by the same title held in 1997. Bilingual text in English (some) and Japanese (all). All images that are reproduced in the book have Japanese and English descriptive titles. Most, but not all, of the text has an English version of the Japanese text. This book is an exceptional study of early photography in Japan. It is divided into three sections: 1) between the arrival of the camera obscura and the daguerreotype; 2) the arrival of photography in Japan; and finally 3) works during the 1860s-70s by three key artists/photographers (Renjo Shimooka, Kakoku Shima, and Matsusaburo Yokoyama). The book is beautifully printed and generously illustrated with 228 numbered and titled color images. Many of the numbers have sub-numbers so the total number of images is approximately 280+. Images include: daguerreotypes, albumen photographs, early cameras, photographic chemical kits, artwork pertaining to early photography, the camera obsucra and paintings to be viewed with a camera obscura. A excellent book containing seldom seen images. Perhaps one of the best illustrated and most comprehensive books on early Japanese photography.
Note 9.
March, Philipp (editor)
Delank, Claudia (editor):
The Adventure of Japanese Photography, 1860-1890, Heidelberg, Kehrer Verlag, 2002, 4to, pictorial boards, 128 pp. The book contains 22 pages of English text and foodnotes followed by 90 full page plates reproducing hand colored albumen photographs. Each plate is footnoted and, where known, the photographer given. The book covers a wide range of photographs including rare albumen photographs of flowers.
Note 10.
Sharf, Frederic A.
Dobson, Sebastian
Morse, Anne Nishimura:
Art and Artifice, Japanese Photographs of the Meiji Era, Boston, Museum of Fine Art, 2004, horizontal 8vo (8 1/4 x 10 1/4 in), blue cloth with paste on title and accompanying decorated slipcase with paste on title (hardback version), blue string page marker, numerous plates and text illustrations - most in color, 95 pp. The book is constructed to resemble a 19th century Japan tourist photograph/collotype album. Starts with a discussion by Sharf on tourist travel to Japan which began flourishing in the 1870s and 1880s. His focus is on Yokohama which was the traveler's point of arrival. Next Sebastian Dobson discusses the "Yokohama Shashin" (Yokohama photographs) trade. Discussed in this section are noted photographers such as Felice Beato, Baron Raimund von Stillfried-Ratenicz, Uchida Kuichi, Kusakabe Kimbei, Adolfo Farsari (Sargent, Farsari and Company), Tong Cheong, the Japan Photographic Association (Farsari & Kozaburo Tamamura partnership), David Welsh (Yokohama Photographic Company) and Kozaburo Tamamura. A discussion by Anne N. Morse considers the ("meisho-e" - famous scenic places) genre of images captured in Meiji era photographs and art. These sections are followed by an exceptional section with reproductions of 39 color plates. In a list that follows technical information (where know) for each plate is provided (photographer, subject of image, date, type of print and size in cm). Issued in softcover also. ISBN: 0-87846-683-5 (slipcased hardcover) and 0-87846-682-7 (softcover - published 2003). The softcover version has two Japanese style ornamental string ties. These are not found on the hardcover version.
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Note 11.
Rosenberg, Gert:
Wilhelm Burger, Ein Welt-und Forschungsreisender mit der Kamera, 1844-1920, Wien and Munchen, Christian Brandstatter, German language, 1984, 4to, hardbound, illustrated dust jacket, 229 illustrations black and white duotone (halftone), 192 pp. Pages 44-177 contain plates reproducing W. Burger's photographs. Each plate contains one or more images and descriptive titles in German. The book contains 57 plates (pages 88-144) showing 64 different images taken by Burger while he was in Japan. The book contains numerous halftone text illustrations. Included in this book is the famous "Hinrichtungsplatz in Jedo" image showing the severed head of a criminal placed on public display. The book is an excellent resource for Burger's style of photography and composition of images. Burger arrived in Japan in September of 1869 with the Austria-Hungary diplomatic mission and stayed until March 1870 when he returned to Austria. During this short period he created a excellent portfolio of Japanese images. This book also contains images Burger took on the expedition prior to arrival in Japan as well as after. There are numerous images of Siam (Thailand) and China (including Hong Kong) and Vietnam as well as other examples of Burger's work. Wilhelm Burger was a noted official "Expedition Photographer." The major expeditions traced in this book are the K.K. Mission nach Ost-Asien und South America (Sept 1868-Mar 1870) which included stops in Gibraltar (Nov 1868), Singapore/Borneo (Apr 1869), Siam (April-May 1869), Vietnam (May 1869), China (Jun-Sep 1869), Japan (Nagasaki, Yokohama, Osaka, Kamakura, Tokio - 27 Sep 1869-Mar 1870) the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition (Jun 1872-1874) and expeditions to Samothrace (1876) and Asia Minor (1881). Rosenberg notes that Burger produced a series of "Stereophotographhien" on his return to Europe from the Asian expedition (page 30). ISBN 3854471076.
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Note 12.
Various Authors:
Image, Journal of Photography and Motion Pictures of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Volume 34, Nos 1-2, Rochester, NY, 1991, 4to, softcover, 62 pp.
a. The J. B. Millet Company's Japan: Described and Illustrated by Denise Bethel, pages 3-15. An excellent and seldom seen discussion regarding these books. The author's focus is on the Mikado edition, a deluxe edition of the set. Contains an extensive discussion of Kazumasa (Isshin) Ogawa.
b. The Far East, A Magazine on the Orient for European Eyes, by Stephen White, pages 39-47. The only article I am aware of that deals with Reddie Black's Far East. This monthly photograph illustrated (tipped in albumen photos) magazine was published between 1870 and 1878. The publication is rare and so are detailed discussions of it.
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Note 13.
Winkel, Margarita:
Souvenirs from Japan, Japanese photography at the turn of the century, London, Bamboo Publishing Ltd, 1991, oblong 8vo (8 1/2 x 9 3/4 in - 22.5 x 26 cm), 171 pictures (including front and back cover - approximately 1/3 in color), 160 pp. Preface by Professor Willem R. van Gulik. A comprehensive illustrated review of photography in Japan in the 19th century. The author discusses various facets of photography in 19th century Japan (methods, noted photographers & subjects) with a focus on how these were applied in the "Souvenir" photographs produced for sale to foreigners and export out of Japan. The discussion is supplemented with 171 reproductions of these "albumen" photographs (many of which were hand colored) from the renowned collection of R. Shilling. ISBN: 1870076583 (paperback) and 1870076184 (cloth).
Note 14.
Palmquist, Peter E. (editor)
Erickson, Bruce T. (article on E. Brown):
The Daguerreian Annual, 1990, Official Yearbook of the Daguerreian Society, Eureka, California, The Daguerreian Society, 1990, 4to, soft covers, edition limited to 1,000 copies, numerous black and white illustrations, 202 pp. Eliphalet M. Brown, Jr., An Early Expedition Photographer by Bruce T. Erickson, pages 145-156. Probably the only extensive discussion of Brown's professional life as an artist, daguerreotypist and member of the Perry Expedition to Japan. The article discusses the very few original daguerreotypes taken by Brown during the Expedition which are confirmed to still be in existence. An excellent resource with much information on Eliphalet M. Brown and his work that has not been previously reported.
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Note 15.
Crombie, Isobel
Gartlan, Luke (essay):
Shashin: Nineteenth Century Japanese Studio Photography, Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria, 2004, oblong 8vo, paper wraps, 20 numbered pages of text with 8 illustrations followed by 49 pages each containing a single numbered plate, 51 plates (2 before the text and 49 numbered plates after the text) of photographs in color where the original was colored. This is the exhibition catalogue for an exhibition held between February 8, 2005 and May 22, 2005 at the National Gallery of Victoria. The book is organized into three sections. First are the the "Bijin-Ga - Pictures of Beautiful Women" photographs (plates 1 ~ 19). Next are the photographs of samurai, sumo wrestlers and priests (plates 20 ~ 29). The final section contains photographs of customs and costumes (plates 30 ~ 49). Above each numbered plate is the technical information on the photograph which includes the photographer where that has been determined. Below each plate is a discussion of the image in the photograph. A well executed and illustrated study of studio photography for souvenir photography trade of the late 19th century in Japan. To see the cover, click here.
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Note 16.
Bennett, Terry:
Old Japan Catalogue, London, 12mo/large 8vo, paper wraps. Each catalogue carries a sequential number. The subtitles varied over the years and include "Antiquarian Books" (No. 6, 1983), "Photographers" (No. 8), "Photographs, Prints, Books, and Manuscripts" (No. 9) and "Old and Rare Photographs" (No. 33, 2005). The company has been in business since 1982 and publishes a catalogue approximately every year. The earliest catalogue I have seen is No. 6 (1983). Old Japan is the preeminent dealer in old Japanese photographs. Each catalogue generally presents 100+ choice items from the firm's stock. The items are well illustrated and presented with in depth discussion. In recent years the emphasis has been on albumen photographs (individually, in groups and in albums). Attribution of these images to particular photographers is complicated and the descriptions give very useful and important information in this regards. The catalogues are an invaluable reference resource for those interested in these items. The focus is on images from the 1860's through the first two decades of the 20th century. Material is presented in numbered lots. Most catalogues do not carry the price in the text. In that case the lot prices are provided by means of an insert or price on request on extremely rare items. Unfortunately, the inserts are often missing when catalogues are obtained in the after-market. Earlier catalogues do not carry dates in the text of the catalogue but it no doubt was included with the price insert. The Old Japan web site is here and I highly recommend it.
Note 17.
Boyd, Torin
Izakura, Naomi:
Portraits in Sepia from the Japanese carte de visite collection of Torin Boyd and Naomi Izakura (Sepia: Iro no Shozo), Tokyo, Asahi Sonorama in conjunction with the JCII Camera Museum, 4to, October 2000, 328 pp. Photography and photographers in Japan from the late 1840s through the end of the Meiji era (1912). Over 200 items pictured. Text in Japanese and English. Comprehensive index with biographical information on over 1,000 Japanese and non-Japanese photographers. Bound in at the back is a color insert with examples to use in identifying the various types of prints (salted paper print, albumen print, printing out paper - collodion or gelatin, matte collodian printing out paper with gold tint, gelatin developing out of paper, and collotype) (ISBN 4257035986)
Note 18.
Morse, E.S.
Ohara, Tetsuo (Editor):
Peabody Museum of Salem, E.S. Morse Collection/Photography, Tokyo, Shogakukan, 4to (9 x 12 in), 1983, cloth, Japanese text, one page "Message" in English, illustrated dust jacket, 300 illustrations/figures with captions in Japanese and English, 211 pp. Numerous (14) contributing authors listed in addition to the editor. E.S. Morse arrived in Japan in June of 1877 and remained there for two years. Morse was a zoologist and his primary reason for going to Japan was the search for mollusks and brachiopods. While in Japan he amassed huge collections of shells and pottery. He also collected photographs and those are the subject of this collection housed in the Peabody Museum of Salem. In addition to his initial two year stay, Morse returned to Japan at least two more times for short visits. The photographs reproduced in this book span the period from the 1870s through the 1910s with the bulk dated to ca. 1880-1890. The images are primarily of Japanese engaged in the everyday activities. Very few of the images are of scenery or the sites normally visited by the tourist. When a photograph was hand colored, it is reproduced in color in the book. The book contains wonderful color reproductions of images from glass slides (lantern slides) and the majority of the images (color and black and white) appear to have be reproduced from that format. A strong focus of Morse's attention is people engaged in arts and crafts. Illustrative of this are two black and white photographs of weaving on Okinawa which are dated ca. 1900. To see the cover, click here. ISBN 4095630116
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Note 19.
Banta, Melissa (editor)
Taylor, Susan (editor):
A Timely Encounter, Nineteenth-Century Photographs of Japan, Cambridge, Mass, published by the Peabody Museum Press for the Wellesley College Museum, 1988, 8vo, paper wraps, 71 pp. This is an exhibition catalogue for "An exhibition of photographs from the collection of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Wellesley College Museum." The catalogue reproduces 62 items (frontispiece plus 61 numbered images) with most being photographs, some in color. Many of the photographs are attributed to Stillfried and Anderson Co. based upon the studio imprint. The images cover the period from the 1850s to through the 1880s. ISBN: 0873658108. To see the cover, click, here.
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Note 20.
Edel, Chantal:
Fin de Siecle, Japon, France, Edition Arthaud, 2000, 4to, hard covers, numerous color reproductions of 19th century colored albumen photographs, text in French, 112 pp. Photographs of Japan at the end of the 19th century. This book reproduces fine quality albumen photographs of Japan held by the Societe de Geographie, Paris. Over 70 different albumen photographs are presented and the majority are attributed to Felice Beato or Baron Raimund von Stillfried. ISBN: 2700312805. To see the cover, click, here.
Note 21.
Felice Beato in Japan: Photographien Zum Ende Der Feudalzeit 1863-1873, Heidelbert, Edition Braus, 1991, 4to, text in German, paper wraps, 207 pp. Approximately 140 illustrations from Beato's photographs. A catalogue of a 1991 German exhibition of Beato's work.
Note 22.
For a comprehensive illustrated discussion of T. Enami's life and work, visit Rob Oechsle's outstanding web site at T-Enami.org. While Enami's work is found in the large albumen photographs, it is in the small format image (like stereoviews) where he concentrated his efforts.
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