[Japanese Woman in Traditional Dress Posing with a Child on her Back] 1870s

This photograph, taken by Suzuki Shin'ichi, shows a Japanese woman in traditional dress with a child on her back. It's made using a process called albumen print, which involves coating paper with egg whites, making for a distinctive sepia tone and soft focus. The material qualities of this photograph – the way light and shadow play across the woman's kimono, the textured bamboo fence, even the grain of the wooden walkway – speak to the artistry involved in early photographic techniques. The choice of attire and pose, while seemingly straightforward, reflects a carefully constructed representation of Japanese culture for both domestic and international audiences. The labor involved in creating an albumen print was considerable. From preparing the paper to developing the image, each step demanded precision and skill. It served as a way to document and market Japanese culture during a period of rapid modernization and opening up to global trade, negotiating the boundaries between tradition and modernity.