Kusakabe Kimbei

Kusakabe Kimbei was a Japanese photographer at the turn of the 19th century. His work was so popular amongst Westerners that he professionally went by his given name, Kimbei, instead of his family name, Kusakabe. For years, he worked for Western photographers Felice Beato and Baron Raimund von Stillfried, hand-coloring their photo prints, a common practice of early photographers. Kimbei eventually opened up his own studio in Yokohama, and was so successful that he opened a second branch in Tokyo. He is often considered the most famous Japanese photographer of his time, not only for his expertise in adding color to his work, but also for his compelling compositions and diverse subject matter. His clientele was mostly comprised of Western foreigners, and he was an avid collector of early Western photography.