The formative years

Born on February 29, 1860, in Saitama, Japan, Ogawa Kazumasa was raised in a time of unprecedented change. Japan was opening up to the West after two centuries of isolation, and young Kazumasa was exposed to the transformative influence of Western ideas and culture. He was only 15 when he left home to work as an apprentice at a photographic studio in Tokyo. It was here that he first encountered the art of photography, which would become his lifelong passion.

In 1880, at the age of 20, Kazumasa sailed to Boston to study photography and printing. During this period, he was exposed to the cutting-edge techniques and aesthetics of Western art. He immersed himself in the works of prominent photographers and artists, such as John Ruskin, William Morris, and John La Farge. While in the United States, Kazumasa honed his skills in collotype, a printing process that would later become a hallmark of his artistic career.

Returning to Japan in 1884, Kazumasa brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experiences. He was determined to introduce the world to the rich cultural heritage of Japan through photography and art.

Becoming a cultural ambassador

Ogawa Kazumasa opened his own photographic studio in Tokyo in 1884, where he began to produce exceptional images of Japan’s natural beauty and cultural treasures. He was among the first to capture the exquisite gardens, majestic temples, and serene landscapes of Japan, which were virtually unknown to the Western world at the time.

Kazumasa’s photographs were imbued with a deep sense of reverence for Japan’s artistic and cultural heritage. His meticulous compositions, often featuring traditional Japanese motifs such as cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and graceful geishas, resonated with audiences both in Japan and abroad.

The charm of his work was not lost on his Western contemporaries. Kazumasa was soon collaborating with renowned photographers such as Alfred Stieglitz and Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, who admired the poetic elegance and technical prowess of his work. 

As one of the leading figures in the field of Japanese photography, Ogawa played a crucial role in the establishment of the Japan Photographic Society. This society served as a gathering point for photography enthusiasts and amateurs from across the country. Together, they formed a community dedicated to the art and craft of photography, fostering the exchange of ideas, techniques, and artistic inspiration. Through the Japan Photographic Society, he became a bridge between the East and the West, helping to forge a new understanding and appreciation of Japanese art and culture.