An important image in regards to the emergence of Japanese documentary photography with smaller hand held cameras.

Description: in the early 1930s the spontaneous style of documentary photography was just emerging in Japan. This was due to the availability of smaller hand held cameras and roll films that provided photographers with greater mobility. This image is an example of this new style and shows a paper lantern shop finishing a large order of lanterns for a festive occasion (note the many umbrellas on the shelves in background). Affixed to the reverse is a paper label that reads:

- Publishing date: March 7, 1931.
- Caption: preparing lanterns for a large celebration. The kanji on the lanterns reads Houshuku or shrine festival.

Taken by a staff photographer of the Osaka Asahi Shimbun, still one of Japan's leading newspapers to this day. This print was made by the photographic unit of the Asahi Shimbun called Asahi Photo News. It was produced to promote the newspaper's recent news items and was intended for public dispaly at locations such as Department stores, train stations, local news bureaus and neighborhood delivery stations.

Condition: vintage large format vintage gelatin print. The overall condition is quite good but the print has a few creases in the white margin areas, most notably along the top margin and lower right corner. There are also four tiny pinhole marks in the corners from when this print was originally displayed in public (see below).