Underwood & underwood

Early 20th century

1904

Stereoview photo cards

49 Stereoscope photo cards of old Japan during the start of the 20th century made by Underwood & Underwood of Ottawa, Kansas, and the Keystone View Company, of Meadville, Pennsylvania.

These stereoview cards are a fascinating insight into Japan as it was making a transition between the isolated Japanese culture of the Edo period to the opening up to the west in the Meiji restoration. Photos were taken all over Japan, from Buddhist temples to tea rooms, busy streets and workshops.

Underwood & Underwoods stereoview cards gave the western public a snapshot of distant foreign lands that only the wealthiest could see first-hand. Many of these photos show a time in Japan that would soon come to an end with the beginning of WW2 and the enormous cultural changes that would create the Japan we know today.

Imprinted copyright 1904 Underwood & Underwood.

Each card Size 177mm x 88mm