Chrysantemum of chrysant before 1895

Kazumasa Ogawa created this hand-colored collotype, titled Chrysantemum of chrysant. Ogawa was a pioneer of photography in Japan during the Meiji era, a time of rapid modernization and Westernization. Here we see the chrysanthemum, a flower deeply embedded in Japanese culture and symbolism. The chrysanthemum has long been associated with the Imperial family, representing longevity and rejuvenation. The choice to focus on this flower during a time of cultural shift speaks to the tension between tradition and modernity. Ogawa employs a Western technique, collotype printing, while capturing a very Japanese subject. The delicate hand-coloring adds another layer of interpretation, softening the starkness of the photographic process. The soft grey background emphasizes the purity and otherworldliness of the white flowers. It’s as if Ogawa is asking us to reflect on the enduring values of Japanese identity amidst sweeping change. The photograph feels simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking. It captures the complex negotiation of Japan's cultural identity during a transformative period.