Interior

1930 · ref. 218619 — Japan. Circa1930. 37 black and white photographs presented in an accordion album 26.5 x 19cm 20pp 2 loose black and white photographs 18.2 x 25.5cm 14.7 x 10.2cm some wear and a few photographs missing but the photographs are generally in good to very good condition. This family photograph album brings out various aspects of a military personnel in Japan. It starts with a letter written by a serviceman who was stationed in China to most likely the owner of this album Kusaka Tadao 日下忠夫 who lived in Wakayama Prefecture. The letter was written in pencil and is difficult to decipher. The pages of one side of the album are filled with the photographs of a wedding: bride and bridegroom attendees and the wedding venue. Probably the most interesting photographs are the four showing the interior of what appears to be the wedding location. The exterior photograph of the well-to-do house is accompanied by another showing beautiful Japanese garden. Following the wedding photographs are other family photographs which were taken at celebratory occasions such as starting military service or during the holidays and visits to temples and shrines. One group photograph was taken at Futamigaura near Ise Shrine. A primary school graduation photograph was taken to mark the graduation at Kane Ordinary Primary School 河根尋常小学校 in Ito County in Wakayama Prefecture near Koyasan. The photograph was taken by M. Okada Photographic Studio. It was a small class with a dozen pupils or so with teaching staff. A young woman who is sitting on the first row lower left has a distinctive hair style and it might indicate that the photograph was taken around the beginning of the 20th century. The owner's name Imoto Masako appears on reverse. A loose formal photographic portrait features a young non-commissioned officer of the Japanese Imperial Navy in his uniform and hat. The emblem shows of his military rank. . unknown