Kusakabe Kimbei, Winter scene, Japan, late 19th century

The Snowing – Winter Portrait by Kusakabe Kimbei, Meiji Era

Details

• Museum-grade fine art reproduction from an original hand-colored albumen print by Kusakabe Kimbei, c. 1880s–1890s

• Depicts two women in traditional attire beneath parasols in a winter garden setting

• A rare and atmospheric portrait from Japan’s transformative Meiji period

• Ideal for collectors of Japanese photography, lovers of traditional fashion, and vintage decor enthusiasts

About the Artwork

This exquisite hand-colored photograph, titled The Snowing, is the work of Kusakabe Kimbei, one of Japan’s most celebrated 19th-century photographers. Created during the Meiji era (1868–1912)—a time when Japan was rapidly modernizing while fiercely preserving its cultural identity—Kimbei’s images were highly sought-after by both domestic and foreign collectors for their delicate color and ethnographic depth.

In this staged winter scene, two Japanese women stand poised under traditional parasols, their kimono elegantly layered and painted in subtle hues. The garden backdrop, with its snow-covered potted plants, thatched fencing, and quiet stillness, evokes a seasonal mood of introspection and beauty. Kimbei’s hand-applied pigments elevate the image beyond documentation, transforming it into a soft, painterly homage to the grace of daily life in historical Japan.

Each print like this was hand-colored by studio artisans trained in Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting), making every image a unique fusion of photography and fine art. This reproduction faithfully honors the detail and tone of Kimbei’s original, offering a serene glimpse into Meiji-period visual culture.