Within years of Commodore Perry's forced opening of Japan in 1853, foreign photographers had set up shop in Yokohama, the main settlement open to foreign traders and diplomats during the early years of Japan's modern era. Pictures of "exotic" Japan were sold as souvenirs to the first globetrotters, the wealthy North American and European tourists who traveled the world in search of mild adventures, different customs, and picturesque scenes. Many of these visitors published travelogues upon returning home. They often emphasized the quaint and unfathomable manners (to their eyes) of the Japanese and at the same time lamented the passing of the "Old Japan", which in every account, always seemed to be on the verge of expiring forever.
This desire to see the authentic "Old Japan" before it was too late was also nurtured by the Japonisme movement in Western art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fashionable European ladies wore kimono and kimono-like dresses. Van Gogh literally copied some of Hokusai's famous images. The very rich built Japan rooms in which to display their collections of Japanese treasures. Many even planted Japanese gardens. Ordinary people also took to small novelties like Japanese fans and paper lanterns.
In some ways it seems as if not much has changed in almost 100 years. "Old Japan" may no longer exist but Japanese culture continues to stir the imagination in ways that few other cultures do. Today you can find visual artists, animators, fashion designers, writers, movie makers, chefs, architects, and even dancers around the world who have been inspired by Japanese street fashion, industrial design, cuisine, architecture, literature, game software, horror movies, manga, anime and many other areas of Japanese high and low culture. Of course, it is really a two-way exchange, with Japanese creators borrowing just as much from other countries. However, seen from the outside, everything that comes out of Japan just tends to look so completely unique and exciting. I am sure that for many more years, fertile cultural exchanges will continue to take place. It does not look now as if the enthusiasm will dim any time soon.
These photos represent my small contribution to this cross-culttural tradition of Japonisme. I do not believe it would be accurate to call them Japanese photos because I am not Japanese. They are photos that were taken in Japan while I have lived there so I would like to call them photos about Japan influenced by Canadian eyes. Some are photos that one expects from Japan (the summer matsuri and yukatta) and some are just very ordinary (my students acting like students everywhere). I hope they offer a small glimpse into how I see and experience life in Japan and I also hope that you enjoy looking at them.
Jean-Pierre Antonio February 20, 2008