Lt. John T. Alderson collection of Japan photographs, circa 1890's
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Alderson, John T
- Title
- Lt. John T. Alderson collection of Japan photographs
- Dates
- circa 1890's (inclusive)18601898
- Quantity
- 40 photographic prints (1 box) : hand colored ; sizes vary
- Collection Number
- PH1101
- Summary
- Hand colored photographs of Japan, some by Kusakabe Kimbei showing scenes of Japanese towns and landscapes
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
All photographs are hand colored with the exception of item 33.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Lt. John T. Alderson fought in the Spanish-American War, and brought back these photographs upon his return to the US.
This collection of photographs of Japan were probably made by the well known photographer Kusakabe Kimbei (1841-1934). Kimbei worked as a photographer until about 1913. He first worked as a photographic colorist and assistant to Felice Beato and Baron Raimund von Stillfried before he opened his own studio in 1881 in Yokohama, in the Bentendori quarter, and operated in the Honmachi quarter from 1889. He later also opened a branch of his studio in Tokyo in the Ginza quarter. His clientele were mostly foreign residents and visitors, thus his photographs tend to be of Japanese scenery and Japanese people doing activities that would appear exotic to foreigners.
Historical Background
During the Meiji Period in Japan (1868-1912), foreign tourists were allowed to travel to the country for the first time in recent history. Many photographers set up studios to cater to foreign tourists, and the Japanese interest in photography expanded. Photographs and postcards became very popular souvenirs for locals as well as tourists. In addition, some photos and postcards were exported to other countries as these photographs could emphasize the exotic and feudal aspects of Japan, despite the fact that Japan was becoming increasingly westernized.
In 1868, at the beginning of the Meiji Period, the capitol of Japan was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. Kyoto began to modernize around the historical sites that had been already been built. The city continues to be a modern city with modern transport, ancient temples, gardens and palaces.
In 1870, the number of professional photographers in Japan had exceeded 100, and this number continued to grow with each passing year. By the 1890s, it was a very popular trend to hand-color photographs.
Content Description
The photographs include scenes of Nagasaki, Tokyo, Yokohama (including the "Foreign Settlement in Yokohama"), and greater Japan. The photograph of the French consulate in Yokohama is stamped "K. Kimbei, Photographer, Yokohama."
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions might exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the repository for details.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Nagasaki
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5
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Description: A man standing at the doorway outside Kofukuji Buddist Temple, Nagasaki
Kofukuji Buddist Temple, Nagasaki is Japan's first and oldest remaining Chinese temple of the Obaku sect
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 6 -
Description: View of a bridge and buildings near the Naksima (probably Nakashima) tea house, NagasakiDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 7
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Description: People carrying baskets and walking on a road next to cultivated fields in the Nagasaki region near MogiDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 8
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 9
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Yokohama
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 10
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 11
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 12
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 13
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Description: View of boats on a canal and near a bridge leading to the French consulate, YokohamaK. Kimbei, Photographer, Yokohama, Japan (photographer)
The French consulate was destroyed by the1923 Kantearthquake and only ruins of this building exist today. It destroyed much of Tokyo and Yokohama, and shifted the Great Budda.
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 14 -
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 15
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Description: Rural view of farms on coastal edge near the foreign settlement at (Negishi) Mississippi Bay, YokohamaDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 16
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Description: View looking down and across a bridge to surrounding city and the railway station, YokohamaDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 17
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Description: Coastal view of two men outside a tea house, (probably at Yokohama)
Original title half torn off: Honmo..., Yokohama
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 18 -
Description: A man fishing from boat near buildings along the Yokohama Harbor edge at Bund, YokohamaDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 19
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Tokio [Tokyo]
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Description: View of lotus flower filled moat outside the Imperial palace wall, Tokyo
Original caption reads:Tokio Castle Wall & Lotus Pond
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 20 -
Description: View looking over boats on a canal, with a bridge on left, and towards the Shinbashi railway station, TokyoDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 21
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Description: City street scene of people, jinrikishas (rickshaws), and horse drawn street car on the tree lined Main street, TokyoDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 22
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Description: View across a waterway lined with boats and looking to the Tsukiji foreign settlement, TokyoDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 23
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Description: View across a waterway to the Imperial Hotel, TokyoDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 24
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Description: People standing under the Shinto Torii Gate at the steps leading to the entrance of Uyeno Park, Tokyo
The Torii gate religious symbol, marks the entrance to sacred space and represents the transition between the finite world and the infinite world of the gods.
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 25 -
Description: View looking over the canal to the Mikado palace (Nijubashi) bridge, Tokyo
Original caption reads:Mikado Palace Brigde [sic] Tokio
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 26 -
Description: People standing along a blossoming cherry tree path next to the water at Mukojima, TokyoDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 27
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Other locations in Japan
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 28
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 29
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 30
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Description: People in boats on a river and near a wooden bridge with Mt. Fuji in the background
Original title half torn off: Fuji from Iwa...
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 31 -
Description: People on the beach leading to Enoshima IslandDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 32
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Description: View of men on the steps and outside of (possibly the Temple Myoshinji), Inasa
This photograph is not colored.
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 33
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Unidentified Locations
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 34
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 35
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Description: View of a stone edged constructed waterway and buildings, (possibly Tokyo)
Written on back: Number "647"
Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 36 -
Description: A small group of people looking down at rustic rural wood buildings and valley floor at the base of a mountainDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 37
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Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 38
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Description: Five seated geishas at a meal with one pouring sakeDates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 39
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Description: View of three men paused on the road while pulling geishas seated in jinrikishas (rickshaws)Dates: circa 1890'sContainer: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 40
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Alderson, John T.--Photographs
