Man die dronken een optreden geeft voor vier geisha's en een andere man in een theehuis in Japan c. 1896 - 1906

Kōzaburō Tamamura made this hand-colored albumen print sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It shows a man giving a drunken performance for four geishas and another man inside a tea house in Japan. At this time, Japan was rapidly modernizing while also working to preserve its cultural identity, leading to a tension between tradition and modernity, especially regarding gender roles and class structures. Geishas, often romanticized figures, occupied a complex position in society, embodying both artistic skill and commodified femininity. Here they are depicted in their professional role. The drunken man’s performance can be viewed through the lens of social hierarchies and performance. What does it mean to perform for an audience, particularly when the performance is fueled by alcohol and perhaps a disregard for social norms? This photograph is a window into a specific moment in Japanese history, reflecting both the intimate interactions of individuals and broader societal dynamics.