"Sayonara!" (good-bye) before 1896

This is a page from an unknown book, featuring hand-colored photographs by an anonymous artist. The images are a combination of photography and the hand-application of color, adding to its visual appeal. The photograph features staged scenes, offering a glimpse into Japanese life and culture. What interests me most here is the interplay between industrial production and handcraft. Photography itself was, of course, a relatively new technology. As cameras became more readily available and affordable, a greater range of people could participate in photographic culture. Hand coloring was a way to counteract the sometimes distancing effect of photography, and it also adds another layer of labor. The careful crafting and staging of the images suggests a desire to document and preserve cultural traditions. It is a reminder of the enduring human connection to artistic practice, even in the face of rapid technological advancement.