PBA Galleries

319 original photographs, each laid in to corner mounts on black leaves. Leaves bound in an antique Japanese decorative lacquered photograph album. The photographs vary in size, each snapshot-size, and range from 5.7x4.3 cm. (2¼x1¾") to 11x7.2 cm. (4¼x3").

Over 300 photographs taken by a pair of American women, traveling through post-World War II Japan. The subjects of the photograph are many, including Japanese children, workers, and Japanese ladies. Also some photographs showing the Imperial Hotel, which at the time was a military post. One snap shot shows the American woman standing next to the sign near the main entrance which says "This Hotel is Off Limits to all Military and Civilian Personnel not Billeted Here." The Imperial Hotel was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was unusual for an American to design a Japanese hotel, and even more unusual that the hotel survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, only months after it opened. The hotel was demolished in 1968, its only survived by it's facade, which is preserved in a Japanese outdoor architectural museum. Also of interest are many snapshots of downtown which show automobiles, as well as cable cars. A few photographs of the Mampei Hotel, another important work of architecture. Also includes some shots of the pair skiing. A wonderful collection capturing the bustling streets and fascinating architecture of Japan.