A Foreign Camera (Gaikoku shashinkyo no zu) 1860

"A Foreign Camera (Gaikoku shashinkyo no zu)" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, a Japanese artist known for his depictions of the changing social landscape of Japan during the late Edo period. The print, dated 1860, depicts a group of Japanese people interacting with a foreign camera. The scene likely illustrates the fascination and curiosity that Japanese people had towards Western technology and culture during this time of great societal and political change in Japan. The work, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, captures a snapshot of a pivotal moment in Japanese history, providing a glimpse into the influence of Western technology and its impact on daily life.