Early Foreign Photographer In Yokohama

This captivating ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, titled “Early Foreign Photographer In Yokohama,” illustrates a scene involving Western individuals engaged in photography, a relatively new technology in Japan during the time depicted. The setting is likely Yokohama, a harbor city that became an important entry point for foreign trade and culture following Japan’s reopening to international contact in the mid-19th century.The image prominently features a Western photographer, identifiable by his distinctive clothing and appearance, who is operating a large, box-like camera mounted on a tripod. He is focusing or adjusting the camera lens, possibly preparing for a photographic shot. This act represents the introduction and influence of Western technology in Japan.Supporting the photographer, there’s another Western man who holds a cap or cover, which was typically used in the photographic process of that era to control the exposure time. His pose and involvement suggest he is either an assistant or a collaborator in the photographic session.Two Japanese women, donned in traditional attire, observe the procedure attentively. The presence of the Japanese spectators indicates a cultural exchange, capturing the curiosity and engagement with new technologies brought by foreigners. In the background, additional figures, likely Western, hint at a bustling environment, possibly a gathering or a busy area in Yokohama where locals and foreigners interacted.The artwork is rich in color and detail, utilizing traditional Japanese woodblock print techniques while illustrating a theme of cross-cultural interaction.