Photography album 19th-20th century

This anonymous photograph from the late 19th or early 20th century, part of a larger album, showcases a Japanese man carrying a heavy load on a simple wooden frame. His weathered face and worn clothes suggest a life of labor, highlighting the challenges of everyday life in rural Japan. The image, likely taken by a Western traveler, offers a glimpse into traditional Japanese culture and provides a valuable record of pre-modern Japanese society. The album itself is a testament to the growing popularity of photography as a means of capturing and documenting the world.