The Golden Age of Travel neatly overlaps with the reign of the Emperor
Meiji, which began in 1868 with the overthrow of a feudal order that had
kept Japan secluded from the outside world for more than 200 years. In
the ensuing four-and-a-half decades, Japan became a less remote and more
attractive destination for the international traveler and a popular
subject for photographers, both Japanese and foreign.
In 536 pages, this book presents more than 700 vintage images of Japan,
texts by a specialist in early Japanese photography, and extensive
commentary through thematic sections exploring traditions as varied as
tea, silk and Buddhism, as well as itineraries across five regions, all
of which guide the reader through this captivating land.
Our travels take us from the enchanting vistas of Nagasaki to the
seagirt shrine of Miyajima, long esteemed among the "Three Views"
considered the most beautiful in Japan; from the rambling streets of
Kobe to the energetic bustle of Osaka; from the cornucopia of historic
sights in the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara to the twin delights of
shopping and sex in the vibrant modern port of Yokohama; from the
timeless beauty of Mount Fuji and the mountainside scenery of nearby
Hakone to the urban melange of Japan's modern capital, where the
traditions of Edo and the modernity of Tokyo co-existed; and, finally,
from the jewel-like architecture of Nikkō set amidst forests and
waterfalls to the islet-studded bay of Matsushima, until our journey
ends in the remote wilds of Hokkaido, home to the indigenous Ainu.
