Japanese stereoviews

Found this amazing set on Pinktentacle. In the late 19th and early 20th century, enigmatic photographer T. Enami (1859-1929) captured a number of 3D stereoviews depicting life in Meiji-period Japan. These are my two favourites. I particularly like the fact they've been hand printed and stuff. Love the old 3D-ness. Imagine the old Shogun-types wandering around with their eyes glued to the stereoviews - maybe a bit like us sending texts via iPhone and stuff. But in Japan. And without electricity.

[Sumo wrestlers]

"A stereoview consists of a pair of nearly identical images that appear three-dimensional when viewed through a stereoscope, because each eye sees a slightly different image. This illusion of depth can also be recreated with animated GIFs like the ones here, which were created from Flickr images posted by Okinawa Soba."

So there you have it. Ancient stereoviews, and they're pretty gorgeous. Make sure you check the whole gang here, it's worth the visit.

[Campfire on the peak of Mt. Myogi, Nakasendo]