Photography Day

What Is Photography Day?

Every June 1st is "Photography Day" (写真の日, Shashin no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1951 by the Photographic Society of Japan (日本写真協会) through its Photography Day committee. The date comes from old records stating that on June 1, 1841, the Nagasaki merchant Ueno Toshinojō photographed Shimazu Nariakira, lord of the Satsuma domain -- supposedly the first photograph taken by a Japanese person. Later research, however, showed that this record was mistaken.

The Story Behind "Japan's First Photograph"

The date of Photography Day comes with a small historical correction.

• The original account: Ueno Toshinojō was said to have photographed Shimazu Nariakira on June 1, 1841, and this was taken as "Japan's first photograph."
• Later research: Subsequent studies found this date to be wrong. The photograph of Shimazu Nariakira is now believed to have been taken on September 17, 1857.
• Still June 1st: Because the day had already been established, June 1st has remained Photography Day.

When Photography Arrived in Japan

The daguerreotype, generally regarded as the start of practical photography, was announced in France in 1839. Photographic equipment is said to have reached Japan on a Dutch ship around 1848. The 1857 daguerreotype of Shimazu Nariakira is the oldest surviving photograph taken by a Japanese photographer and is designated an Important Cultural Property. In the 1860s, photographers such as Ueno Hikoma (Toshinojō's son) in Nagasaki and Shimooka Renjō in Yokohama opened studios, and photography gradually became part of everyday life.

Interesting Facts About Photography

• The first photo took hours: The oldest surviving photograph, taken by Nicéphore Niépce in France in the 1820s, is said to have required an exposure of eight hours or more -- some say several days.
• Selfies are as old as photography: In 1839, American Robert Cornelius took a photograph of himself, known as one of the earliest self-portraits.
• A global photography day: Internationally, August 19th is observed as World Photography Day, marking the day in 1839 when the French government made the daguerreotype process freely available to everyone.
• Tokyo Photo Month: In connection with Photography Day, the Photographic Society of Japan holds "Tokyo Photo Month" each May and June, with photo exhibitions concentrated around Tokyo.
• Utsurundesu: Fujifilm's single-use film camera "Utsurundesu," launched in 1986, made casual photography widely accessible, and its film look has found new fans among younger people in recent years.

Ideas for Photography Day

• Organize the photos on your smartphone and look back on the past two months since the new fiscal year began
• Print out a favorite photo and display it
• Take one careful shot of an everyday scene, paying attention to composition and light
• Open an old album and look through photos of your family or your younger self

A Single Photo Can Be a Gift to Your Future Self

Photography Day, complete with the twist that its original date turned out to be mistaken, is a reminder of how rich the history of photography is. From an era when taking a single picture was a major undertaking to one where anyone can snap a photo on a smartphone, a lot has changed. Today, try capturing a small moment of daily life a little more carefully. Years from now, that one photo may bring the memory vividly back.