Writing Letter c. 1880

This anonymous photograph, taken around 1880, depicts a young woman in traditional Japanese attire writing a letter. The image captures a moment of quiet intimacy as the woman focuses on her task. Her kimono, with its intricate patterns, suggests a sense of elegance and refinement. The surrounding environment, with its wooden chests and traditional decor, provides a glimpse into a domestic space within 19th-century Japan. This photo is a prime example of the genre of _meisho-e_ or "picture postcards" that became popular in the Meiji period.