The famous Paris-based portrait photographer Nadar took numerous pictures of samurai when they visited the French capital as part of a Japanese embassy to Europe. At the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868), a great deal of attention was focused on the diplomatic problem of whether or not to open Japan - the country had been closed for many years - to the outside world. This trip to Europe proved to be an eye-opening experience for the Japanese officials, who were largely unaware of Western civilization. At the same time, men wearing topknots, kimono, and swords were a curious sight for Europeans.
- Collection of
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
- Series title
- The First Ken-O Shisetsu (Mission to Europe)
- Title
- Artist Name
- NADAR
- Year
- 1862
- Material / Technique
- Albumen print
- Dimensions
- 229x200mm
- Accession number
- 20016594
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum “Search the Collection”
- https://collection.topmuseum.jp/Publish/detailPage/17094/
