[Photo Album of a Japanese Political Society]

Japan, 1923. Very good. 8½" x 12¼". Paper over boards, Japanese title to front. 30 card leaves with one 4½" x 6¼" B&W photograph adhered to each recto and Japanese-captioned interleaves. Very good: boards a bit loose and spotted, small chips to front and moderate loss to rear; interleaves with some wear and a few faint stains; light spotting to some photos.

This is a lovely photograph album revealing members of a lesser-known Japanese political faction, along with their well-dressed wives and children, embracing Western fashion trends.

The book's cover translates to "Commemorative Photograph Album" with a date of Taish 12 (February 1923), created by the "West Adams Sawakai" or "Tea Party." The Sawakai was one of the parliamentary factions in the House of Peers of the Imperial Diet under the Constitution of the Empire of Japan. Beginning in 1891, the Sawakai supported Yamagata Aritomo, considered by some to be the "father" of Japanese militarism, and expanded to attract those of high income and influence from the end of the Meiji period through the Taish , peaking at about 67 members. By the Showa era they went into decline, and merged with other factions in 1928.

This album has 30 photographs of past and present Sawakai leaders, identified by name as well as village and prefecture. Lovely professional portraits show members posed with their families, pointing out the names of well-dressed wives and children. It is interesting to note that only one woman appears in traditional Japanese attire. During the Taish period Western clothing became standard issue for army and school uniforms, and several youngsters here appear in fuku sailor outfits. The men and women don fashionable formal Western garb, and one "eldest son" appears to be holding an American flag.

Fascinating photos of a Japanese political faction and their fashion.