Collection: Ogawa Kazumasa

Ogawa Kazumasa, born in Saitama, Japan in 1860, was a photographer, printer and publisher who was a pioneer in photomechanical printing and photography in the Meiji era. This period marks the first half of the Japanese Empire, during which Japanese people moved on from being isolated to engaging more with the rest of the world.

This paradigm shift reflected on the art scene greatly. Kazumasa had the chance to study portrait photography, dry plate process and collotype printing in Boston.

After his return to Japan in 1884, he opened the first photographic studio in Tokyo. He also worked as an editor for various photography magazines, which he printed using the collotype printing process.

Our colllection consists mostly of his exquisite handpainted flower collotypes, which will bring an instant spring feeling into your home no matter the weather outside.