In the above picture, scenes of Nagasaki have been carefully selected for traveler's albums to depict stereotypical scenes that people would be sure to remember as well as show the expected "Japanese-y" elements of place. In these two images, the torii gates and long boats represent the typical aspects photographers would focus on to specify the place as Japan. The lush landscape also serves this purpose, though not to the same extent the Shinto elements do with their purposeful placement.
In this image, two Japanese women have been staged to satisfy the Western expectation of oriental women. The obsession with femininity and delicacy is very apparent through the pastel-colored, movement-inhibiting kimonos they wear, along with the graceful poses and environment. The woman on the left holds a flower, further adhering to our heuristic expectation of such a soft, beautiful individual. The serene backdrop of a zen-like garden plays up the mysterious nature-focused aspect of the Western view of oriental culture.
I like your description of the first image as containing "Japanese-y" characteristics. I felt the pursue of this assignment was to identify signifiers of Japanese culture within these photos, which were intended to be keepsakes for travelers from around the world. The first image is very - Japanese - in that captures the presences and atmosphere of Nagasaki, one of the most popular tourist sights within Japan.
ReplyDeleteThe second image is rather unique, it shows a connection between the natural beauty of Japan's outdoors, while also introducing the then modern dwellings of Japan citizens. The young ladies within this image appear to be rather shy, and as you explained this image is a clear representing of the Western sexualization of Japanese women.