Frank Didik's Asia1.info Vast Photographic, documentary film and document database covering Asia from 1850 till today. Almost a complete archive of original Japanese and German news reels from 1928 to 1945 encompassing hundreds of hours of footage. 100,000 images available 24/7

Account Login | A Taste of Beautiful Japan | Historic Japan from 1850 to 1938 | Taiwan | Photo Archive Mailing List | Price List | Contact Us | Terms and General Publication Prices Japanese Other interesting sites: Tokyo1.org | Asia1.info | News1.net | Didik.com | TransGlobalHighway.com | Design1.org PHOTOGRAPH INDEX Sorry, but from time to time, certain links on this cd may not function correctly on all computers. Press control D to bookmark this site VIDEO FOOTAGE A limited amount of modern and historic video footage is available for tv programs. STREET AND BUILDING PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs of every building in key districts of central Tokyo, street by street. Photo catagories. Please send an email requesting your specific needs. Historic photographs of Japan 1850-1938 Akihabara known as the electronic district, though other areas, such as Shibuya, are close rivals Akihabara Aoyama - Omotesando area Very elegant and trendy area, comparable to the SOHO area of New York City. Meiji Jingumae Omotesando west   Aoyama Dori   Omotesando Dori east side of street   Omotesando Dori west side of the street Aoyama Omotesando - local area   Asakusa Prior to 1945, this area was the major night entertainment district.   Asakusa Daiba New island built on landfill in Tokyo bay in a very modern style. Primarily used for back offices for major corporations and an attempt is being made for limited entertainment. Similar in feel to the New City region of Paris.   Daiba Ebisu Subtle but elegant area. Ebisu   Ginza Said to be the "Fifth Avenue" of Tokyo, but rivaled by other districts in Tokyo. Many department stores. Ginza Dori east side Ginza Dori west side Ginza Area Ginza_Christmas at night Gotanda Expensive residential area. Gotanda train station area Government Center Area Tokyo Government Center area Harajuku Trendy young area something like a cross between New York's East Village and Soho. Meiji_Dori south side Meji_Dori north side Harajuku - LocalArea Takeshita_Dori north side Takeshita Dori south side Hiroo Very expensive residential community, in central Tokyo. Also the home of many Embassies. Nambu_Kinoshita_zaka Hiroo Dori west side of street Hiroo Dori east side of street Hiroo Dori looking south Gaien Nishi Dori south side of street Gaien Nishi Dori north side of street Arisugawa Park Arisugawa Park winter with snow Ichigaya Ichigaya train station area / paid fishing Imperial Palace Imperial Palace Imperial Palace more images   Megura Meguro   Naka Megro Naka Megro train station area Nakano Nakano station area at night Rainbow Bridge Rainbow Bridge Tokyo Rooppongi Many bars and clubs. Somewhat rougher area and at night it is common to see various night trades. South to Higashi   small street to Roppoingi Dori   Gaien Higashi north east   Gien Higashi north west   Gaien Hig south side   Gaien Higash south west   Gaien Higash south east   Imoarai Zaka west side of street   Imoarai Zaka looking south   Imoarai Zaka east side of street   north of small street to Higashi Rooppongi Global City Rooppongi Global City is the new urban renewal project built on land seized by the Tokyo Government by imminent domain and then provided to a private developer. Many other images available. Shibuya Visual overload. Major shopping district for electronics, restaurants, entertainment and probably the largest crowds found anywhere. Shibuya and Shinjuku (see below) are featured in the movie "Lost in the Translation".   Bunkamura Dori north side   Bunkamura Dori south side   Center Gai Dori north side (night)   Center Gai Dori north side (day)   Center Gai Dori south side (night)   Center Gai Dori south (daytime)   Dosen Zaka north side of street   Dosen Zaka south side of street   Jingu Mae Dori - east side   Jingu Mae Dori - west side   Meiji Dori - east side of street   Meiji Dori - west side of street   Myamsu Zaka north side of st. Myamsu Zaka south side   North Center Gai Dori - north   North Center Gai Dori - south   Shibuya/Shibuya1 Shibuya train station area   Shibuya at night   Shibuya general area photos   Shinjuku Similar to Shibuya, though has even more department stores.   Shinjuku at night   Shinjuku   Shinjuku aerial views at night   Ueno Known for its excellent museums and its world famous Ueno Park. Also has a small Chinatown area.   Ueno Park and area winter night   Parks Zoo Yoyogi Known for its very large and well maintained park. Also has some facilities remaining from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.   Yoyogi Park Akihabara The Electronics discount area of Tokyo, located in the northern part of the city. Architecture Asakusa This area in the northern part of Tokyo is famous for its temples, shopping and entertainment district. Bars Restaurants and food Bicycle Parking Tickets Communication Includes images of the Tokyo Tower, which was built in 1958 as a modern copy of the Eiffel Tower. Construction Photo's Countryside photo's Crowds It is truly hard to belive just how many people live in Tokyo. Enormous daily crowds. Enoshima beautiful island area near Kamakura, similar in fame to Isle St. Micheal in France. Also famous botanical garden is on the island. Festivals Gardens Japanese or Zen gardens are world famous for their beauty and serenity. Please also see KYOTO, listed below for more photographs of gardens. Ginza Area Photographs taken from the area around the Ginza district which is the ultra-fashionable area world famous for glamor and high prices. Ginza East side of the street. A photograph of every building on the east side of the Ginza. Ginza West side of the street. A photograph of every building on the west side of the Ginza. Harkone Is a beautiful mountainous area about one hour south of Tokyo famous for its hot springs. Hakone Hakone (more images) Hiroshima: Hiroshima Today Before 1920 August 6 1945 - Feb 1946 Critical Questions rarely considered: If Japan had an atomic bomb, would they have used it? more Very unusual technical issues and misconceptions, rarely published, about the Bomb.   Homeless Japanese  Imperial Palace Images of the beautiful Imperial Palace and Park. Kamakura Known world wide for the famous 7th Century Dabutsu or Bronze Buddha. Also temples, beaches, gardens and traditional buildings. Kyoto Beautiful, old traditional city known for its magnificent "Zen" or Japanese gardens, temples, and traditional buildings. Meguro, Hiro, Ibisu Wealthy residential districts in the central area of Tokyo.     Motion Museums 1. Transportation Museum 2. National Museum 3. Broadcast Museum 4. Hiroshima Peace Museum 5. Sapporo Beer Museum 6. National Science Museum 7. Tokyo Edo Museum 8. Electric Industry Museum 9. Maritime Museum at Daiba Over 2000 custom, non published, high quality and unique photographs covering the above are on file. Kindly email your specific needs and we will send you thumbnails of what is available, via email. Since these images were photographed on private property, we must obtain their permission prior to release. Night Japan, primarily cities, at night. Parks_zoo Ueno Park Party Rain Japan has long been know for its romantic rains. Move over Paris! Recreation Right Wing xenophobic groups have been growing in recent years and said by some to have connections with the underworld and also with leading political parties. If left un-checked, they will encumber Japans relations with its trading partners, particularly China and Korea. Shibuya Shibuya is a fashionable area and is one of several main shopping districts in Tokyo. This sections contains city scenes, huge crowds, shopping districts, rain and more. Shinjuku Another large shopping district in Tokyo, famous for its Enormous electronics and camera stores. Skyline Mostly images of Tokyo. Contains a complete set of images creating a 360 degree panorama, shot from the top of Tokyo Tower. Also contains the Tokyo "Times Square" and other districts. Technology Unique as well as common mechanical and technological things seen in Japan. Temples Temples and traditional buildings. For additional temples, be sure also to see the Kamakura and the Kyoto section, listed above. Traditional Traditional and common scenes from Japan. Transportation Images of cars, trains, subway scenes, planes, boats, monorails. rickshaws and other things related to transportation. Ueno Zoo Vendors Images of street vendors, stores, open markets, vending machines and others. Wedding Ceremony Historic photographs of Japan. Click here to search through thousands of photographs of Japan from 1850 to 1938 For the index covering historic Japan, please scroll to the bottom of the page. Hiroshima Photo's and Films August 6, 1945 Before | After | Today Also: Critical Questions rarely considered: If Japan had an atomic bomb, would Japan have used it? more Very unusual technical issues and misconceptions, rarely published, about the Bomb. Prior to 1945 Just after Aug 6, 1945 Films from American Planes Aug6, 1945 Street by Street aerial gun sight photographs of Hiroshima Aug6-Aug12, 1945 (to be released). Films and photo's released in 1957 Hiroshima Today Critical Questions rarely considered: If Japan had it, would they have used it? more Very unusual technical issues, rarely published, about the socalled A Bomb. Many of these topics, including rare gun site footage and street by street scenes will be shown in Frank Didik's film, "The Rise of Japan" ©Frank X. Didik 2002-2006 All Rights Reserved   COMING SOON: historic, on-line database of Japanese names and people: A large number of early, 1900-1945, Japanese telephone directories, who's-who type directories, business directories, newspapers, magazines and books are being scanned and translated into English. In the near future, you will be able to type in any name and get a profile on the person. In some cases, the early address, phone number, profession and other information is available. Coverage includes all of Japan, Korea (Chosen), Manchuria, Taiwan (Formosa) and other areas. Presently, the database has about 45,000 names. This will be a subscription database available to our photo, news and academic clients. This will be of great interest for anyone doing a film or article on early Japan. Presently off-line but send an email for specific searches today! This database covers the war years.   Year Historic Japan Collection and Description PHOTOGRAPHS WANTED: For the historic record, you may wish to donate your historic photograph collection to us. From time to time, we also purchase historic collections of photographs and films covering Japan. We are particularly interested in 8mm and 16mm home movie films of early Japan up to the late 1960's. Also interested in armature and GI occupation photographs from any time period up to the late 1960's. Please send an email to: historic@tokyo1.org with information on what you have available for sale. 1853 Admiral Perry's expedition brought a camera to Japan in 1853. Admiral Perry of the United States arrived with his warships in Japan in 1853 (after the US informed the Japanese, through the Dutch in 1852 that they would be arriving the next year). Between 1852 and 1853, before Admiral Perry's arrival in Japan, there had been many articles written in American and European newspapers speculating on what effect his arrival would have on potential trade with Japan. The London Times, most notable, wrote a major article on this topic in 1852. Admiral Perry's arrival was not unexpected, as is often mis-published. Admiral Perry's photographer took an estimated 100 photographs in Japan in 1853 and brought these photographs back to America. Sadly, in 1857, the Washington warehouse where the photographs were stored, burnt to the ground and the photographs are said to have been lost. However, before this historically tragic event occurred, etchings of Japan were made from the photographs and published in a special report to Congress in 1856 and 1857. It should be noted that at that time, a method of printing photographs in a book had still not been developed so that all photographs had to be published in etched format. It is this writers belief that it is possible that an original photograph of Admiral Perry's visit to Japan could still exist. Perhaps a member of the expeditions family has one or perhaps a photograph might have been given by Perry to the Japanese delegation. Please contact me if you have or know of the existance of such a photograph(s). It is also possible that earlier photographs exist either through the Dutch in Nagasaki or the Russians in Hokaido or perhaps some other group. Frank X. Didik 2004 This archive contains some of the etrchings made from the photographs and cover various day to day scenes in Japan. Quality of images: Excellent Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1874 Etchings covering various day to day scenes in Japan, primarily Tokyo, Yokohama and the surrounding area. These etchings were much copied by others in the 1870's and 1880's. Quality of images: Very Good. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1882 Etchings and drawings covering various day to day scenes in Japan. Quality of images: Very Good. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1893 Over 275 photographs of Japan covering all aspects of day to day life, architecture, police, industry, farming, trains, boats, bridges, transportation, craftsmen, ports and cities. Covers Tokyo (Edo, Yedo, Tokio), Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakone and other regions throughout the country. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1893   CHINA: For the most part, the Tokyo1.org historic archive covers Japan, however, we do have a substantial number of photographs on file covering other countries in Asia. This section shows about 100 photographs of all areas of China including rather grisly photographs of prisoners before and after being beheaded. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1893 Over 200 photographs of Japan, including many posed images also covering most aspects of Japanese life, customs, festivals as well as cities. Included in this collection are several rare photographs showing Yokohama after a snow storm. Also includes excellent interior photographs showing a private view of middle class Japanese home life. Photographed by an American author/traveler. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1893 A small archive of 13 photographs of Japan, including posed images and day to day life. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1897 Small collection including both etchings as well as photographs shot in Tokyo and other regions. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1897 A small but interesting collection of photographs shot by a German traveler. Of particular interest are the images covering the Ainus in Hokkaido, a beautiful scene of Nagasaki, public and private bath houses, and a private women's party. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1901 IN COLOR. This collection includes 48 photographs including 17 in full color. These could possibly be the first color photographs ever produced in Japan. Incudes women, workers, city images, nudes at a public bath and other images.Quality of images: good Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1901 The AINU. A fascinating and rare archive of 50 photographs showing the Ainu, who were the indigenous people of Japan. In this case, the photographs were shot by the renown Rev. John Batchelor who chronicled the Ainu and was considered the foremost authority and researcher of their culture. Quality of images: Good Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1904 Industrialized and upper class Japan. This collection includes about 85 photographs covering various institutions, shipping and architecture in Japan with an emphasis on the better sections of the country.Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1904 This collection includes about 100 photograph of Japan covering all sections of the country. It also includes a single color photograph of two women during spring time. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1904 A very interesting archive of 25 photographs of day to day life in Japan, including images of Yokohama, Tokyo, Asakusa and other areas. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1905 War and industry. This collection comprises of over 250 photographs covering Japanese industry and the various battles of the Japanese - Russian war in which Japan won an astounding victory. Quality of images: Poor Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1905 1870 - 1905 a small collection of about 30 photographs starting in the early 1870's and ending with images taken during the Russo-Japan war in 1905 Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1907 A small collection of photographs of Japan including beautiful Nagasaki Bay, the Great Daibutsu in Kamakura, statistical information and other photographs. Quality of images: Poor Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1908 The most beautiful women in all of Japan. This collection of over 300 photographs are of Japanese women of good family collected by the Jiji shimpo in cooperation with local newspapers to compete in an International beauty contest started by the Chicago Tribune. For a brief period of time, this contest was the talk of Japan especially the upper classes.Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1909 Of particular interest. This is a collection of almost 200 photographs covering all aspects of day to day life in Japan before the first world war. It incudes fascinating street scenes in Tokyo, including various market places such as Asakusa, Yokohama, people at work and play, a leper and many other very interesting, historic images. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1911 China: Four photographs shot in China showing day to day life. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1911 A small archive of 11 photographs of Japan, including posed images and day to day life. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1913 An interesting archive of 31 photographs covering Japan, including inside Keio University (first private university in Japan), day to day life in the cities and countryside, fishing villages, inside the home and city street scenes. Quality of images: Medium Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1921 An archive of 30 photographs covering Japan, including many photographs of women, including bathing scenes as well as day to day life in the cities and countryside. Quality of images: Good Click here to see thumbnails of these images. Recent History: Years leading up to, during and after world war 2 1929 - 1933 This is an interesting archive of about 100 photographs from Japan covering the key transitional years from limited democratic control to primarily military control.  Includes photographs of day to day life in Tokyo, early television studio, Manchuria, Japanese military mobalizing, invasion of Manchuria and a very rare photograph alleging to show the sabatage on the Marco Polo Bridge in China, which some say let to the first shots of World War 2. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1939  A small, though fascinating collection of photographs showing Japan just before the start of World War 2 Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1942 - 1945  A collection of photographs showing the war years mostly from the Japanese perspective. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1945 August and September  This is a rare and fascinating collection of photographs showing the first days of occupation of Tokyo by the Americans, as well as the destruction of certain areas of Tokyo. The photographs, shot by Japanese photographers, shows the interaction of American's and Japans in the first few days of occupation. It is interesting how quickly good feelings seems to have returned between the two groups. Also shows a baseball game between Japanese players and Americans ... just two months after the war. Other interesting photographs includes GI's playing with Japanese children in the park. Though a few isolated outrages did occur, the contrast of the American occupation of Japan is striking when compared with the Japanese occupation of China, the Phillipines and other areas. From all accounts, the Japanese were shocked by the good behavier shown by the Americans. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1945 Japan1945aug_septB Other images Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1951 A collection of about 75 photographs showing Tokyo quickly rebuilding. U.S. occupation ended the following year (1952), though a limited number of American troops continue to be stationed on Japan to this day (2004). Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1953  A collection of about 50 photographs of Japan from 1953 Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1955 An interesting collection of about 50 photographs of Japan from 1955 which includes several color images. Shows the interaction of Americans and Japanese and also shows the seedier element of society. Click here to see thumbnails of these images. 1956  A collection of about 60 photographs showing all of Japan in 1956 Click here to see thumbnails of these images. PHOTOGRAPHS WANTED: For the historic record, you may wish to donate your historic photograph collection to us. From time to time, we also purchase historic collections of photographs and films covering Japan. We are particularly interested in 8mm and 16mm home movie films of early Japan up to the late 1960's. Also interested in armature and GI occupation photographs from any time period up to the late 1960's. Please send an email to: historic@tokyo1.org with information on what you have available for sale. Japan Stock Video Footage Database Available 24/7 MODERN JAPAN FILM CLIPS JAPAN Tokyo much footage throughout Tokyo Daytime Night time Tokyo in the Rain (Shibuya) Snowing in Tokyo Summer and Winter Yokohama Ueno Hiya Roopongi Chinatown Fish Market Rainbow Bridge Traffic Jams Shopping in winter Shopping at night Night life Holiday decorations festivals Events Formal Parties Ginza in the daytime Bullet Trains Inside subway cars Soccer Demonstrations Inside subway cars Train Stations Young people in central Tokyo (Shibuya) Ebis Garden Place and surrounding area Megero Hiroo Ropoongi Kyoto Temples Modern Hiroshima Endoshima Hakone Please send an email for details and a complete film clip list covering Japan.   HISTORIC JAPAN FILM CLIPS Early footage is available on several different topics   We are in the process of transferring almost 700 hours of 16mm newsreels covering Japan from 1921 to 1944. This footage was shot in Japan and is in Japanese. Translations can be made available. This incredibly interesting archive covers all aspects of Japanese culture, politics, strife during the military period. It should be of great interest to all documentary makers, tv stations, feature film researchers, producers of feature films, scholars and others. Contact us regarding this treasure trove of historic Japanese news reels. 1890 Japanese acrobats 1898 Launching of a Japanese war ship 1905 various films, amounting to about 3 hours of footage, transferred to video showing the negotiations between the Japanese and Russians in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which resulted in the treaty of Portsmouth. This treaty solidified Japanese rule in Korea, portions of China, Manchuria, Formosa (Taiwan) and other regions. Further, it gave Japan rights over the very extensive Russian railroad system in China and almost absolute trade rights to all of these regions. Perhaps the biggest gain to Japan was that after this treaty, Japan felt comfortable enough to declare the Island of Hokaido as a part of Japan. Prior to 1867, there were very few Japanese on this island, which was populated primarily by the Ainu, who themselves at one time, controlled all of the four main Japanese islands. In addition, Hokaido had numerous Russian fishing villages. Many other issues were and problems were created by this treaty and one can perhaps argue that they were resolved in the end with World War 2. A total of 12 pre-1907 films covering Japan is available for film producers. Please send an email for details.A total of 12 pre-1907 films covering Japan is available for film producers. Please send an email for details. Photo Archive Mailing List Register to receive the latest information on new image  placed on line and other news related items. Terms and General Publication Prices Tokyo1.org™ NYCinPictures.com™ Photographs copyright by Frank X. Didik. All rights Reserved. You can reach us by e-mail at PRESS@DIDIK.com