The Modern Tokyo Times

International news and neglected issues

Ogawa Kazumasa: a photographer of style and panache

Ogawa Kazumasa: a photographer of style and panache

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times      

Ogawa Kazumasa

Ogawa Kazumasa was born in 1860 and died in 1929 and he offers a glimpse into the changing nature of Japan but with the strong identity of the past. Therefore, his photography provides both sides of the same coin and this complexity would be played out in the political arena in the 1930s between nationalists and socialists.

His images remain vivid today and like Nobuyoshi Araki, but for very different reasons, both photographers provide images of a real Japan.  Ogawa Kazumasa provides images of a Japan which is caught between tradition and the onset of Western influence. 

However, Nobuyoshi Araki focuses on the sexual nature of Tokyo in modern times but he does this with a rare quality and unlike the blandness of Kishin Shinoyama who lacks individuality or genuine creativity; Nobuyoshi Araki provides images which enlighten people to the changing nature of aspects of Tokyo culture and he does this with a rare talent.

It is obvious that Ogawa Kazumasa and Nobuyoshi Araki are like chalk and cheese but in one way both are similar despite the huge differences of composition, style, time in history, techniques, different technology, art forms, and so forth; but both provide a style which opens up the subject matter that they enter and for Nobuyoshi Araki this applies to Tokyo and for Ogawa Kazumasa it applies to Japan.



Therefore, Ogawa Kazumasa was very energetic and he was in the forefront of change in photography and he was a founding member of the important organization called the Nihon Sashinkai (Japan Photographic Society).

If we read history books then we know that Commodore M.C. Perry influenced Japan to open up in 1854 by using gunboat diplomacy and this was not a promising way to start a relationship based on mutual understanding.  However, I want to avoid the political overtures of this event because while this event is written in words the beauty of Ogawa Kazumasa is that he opens up the Meiji era because of his stunning photography and he utilized his printing skills in order to show the world. 

Ogawa Kazumasa

Ogawa Kazumasa throughout his life opened up the Meiji era and the Taisho period (1912-1226) in image form.  The style he composed is of major importance to photographers and historians alike.  Also, his broad knowledge in many fields was maximized to the full and because of him, and others like Enami Nobukuni and Tamamura Kosaburo, we are able to glimpse into a changing Japan.

His legacy remains today and Ogawa Kazumasa will continue to impress and inspire future generations because he is a connection with the past and the images he produced were of a sublime nature.  (Photo gallery and very high quality)  

(Fantastic information about Ogawa Kazumasa)


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