© Rikko Nakamura. Taking a bath in a oil drum, Togoshi, Shinagawa?ku. Modern print. 1946
Rosphoto - Russian National Centre of Photography 35 Bolshaya Morskaya 191186 Sankt Peterburg Russie
The JCII (Japan Camera Industry Institute) Photo Salon (Director: Mayumi Moriyama) is holding a photography exhibition with the theme of “100 Years of Tokyo” on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. The Salon selected photographs of Tokyo from among its catalog of collected works. The exhibition, comprising images taken by 40 Japanese photographers, reflects the changes of the capital of Japan, Tokyo, over the last 100 years.
In 1900 some thirty years had passed since the then capital Edo had its name changed to Tokyo. The streets of Tokyo at that time reflected the changing lifestyles brought about by the new technologies introduced from abroad.
© Jun Watanabe. Winter. Vintage print. 1926
The photographs of Tokyo taken in the 1930’s recorded the country heading for the war. In 1945, when Japan surrendered, Tokyo was poor and began the massive reconstruction task. In 1964 Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games. You can find the images in this exhibition giving us a vivid image of the modernized Tokyo. Some of the photographs of today’s Tokyo highlight the issue of pollution.
In the 21st century the capital of Japan may move to elsewhere in Japan and away from Tokyo. We should not forget Tokyo as it was and as it is.
In the exhibition, photographs of Tokyo are accompanied by portraits of the Japanese. They are the people who represent the today’s Japan: politicians, men of letters, artists, actors and actresses, and business people.
Anonymous author.Cherry‐blossoms on the banks at Koganei. Original print. Circa 1890