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 geisha from Ise Shrine (Mie Prefecture) visiting a bank in Osaka. Affixed to the reverse is a paper label that reads:

- Publishing date: February 25, 1931.
- Caption: Geisha from Ise Shrine (Mie Prefecture) visit the Osaka Bank (Ueroku Daigin) at Uemoto-cho Osaka, Minami (Osaka South District).
- The large sign in the photo above the geisha reads “Oise Mairi” or prayer offerings.

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 condition is quite good but there is a small crease in the lower right corner, as well as tiny pinhole marks in the corners from when this print was originally displayed in public (see reverse view below).