old and new: PHOTOS JAPAN

Year: c.1865

Enami opened his studio in 1892, and by 1897, he had already conquered the magnificent volumes of Capt. Brinkley's Japan - Described and Illustrated by the Japanese. These silk and crepe-covered folio-sized books contain more of his photos (used as tipped-in illustrations) than any other contributing photographer currently identified -- even more than the large number of images by Kimbei Kusakabe that have so far been identified.

In 1904, The Guidebook for Travelers in Japan published by theNYK Japan Mail Steamship Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) recommended "Mr. Enami" as one of only seven named studios for tourists and collectors to obtain good, hand-colored photographs.

The above examples of mostly Meiji-era postcards produced by Japanese and Western publishers are made from T. Enami's photographs. They are only a few of many that may be found. It is possible that many or all of the Y (Yokohama) series of colored collotype postcards that were made from ca.1905-15, as well as street and scenic postcards appearing on the Tombou (Dragonfly) series were also the work of Enami. Unfortunately, none give photographer credit, and this remains speculation.