A rare photo exhibition of early Meiji central Tokyo runs at the JCII Photo Salon (1-25-1 Kudanminami, Chiyoda; tel. 03-3261-0300; one minute from Hanzomon Station exit 4). It is the 21st installment of the "Old Photo Series," titled Phantom Old Photos 150 Years Back — The World of Shimooka Renjo.
Shimooka (1823–1914) ranks with Ueno Hikoma, who photographed Sakamoto Ryoma, among Japan's earliest photographers. This year marks 150 years since he opened a Yokohama studio in 1862. In his later years he focused on backdrop painting, so his photographs date mainly from late Edo to early Meiji.
Among 70 prints on view, 18 large views of the Edo Castle area are highlights — "SAKASHITA GATE, Meiji 4" = photo top =, "THE AQUEDUCT, SUITO-BASHI" = photo bottom, same year =, and others with English and romanized captions burned in. Discovered in Britain and Austria after 2006 and acquired by JCII, they are the only surviving prints; the original glass plates stored by a disciple were lost in the 1945 Tokyo air raid. Clam sellers by the moat, children swimming — poses reminiscent of Japanese painting (JCII site: http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/).
Viewing sepia images beside the Imperial Palace we see daily from Palaceside Building, the transformation of 150 years astonishes anew.
Through September 2 (Sun.), 10:00–17:00, closed Mondays, free admission. Talk show August 25 (Sat.) — reservation required by phone.
