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.

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[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. Follow the links under each animation for the original stereoviews and background information.

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Meeting at gate]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Buddhist ornament dealer]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Geisha washing their hands in the garden]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Chujenji Road, Nikko]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Geisha playing music]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Firewood dealers]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Great Buddha of Kamakura]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Torii gates at Inari shrine, Kyoto]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Geisha girls with flowers and cat]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Traveler in the mountain fog near Chujenji]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Clam diggers having lunch]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Tokyo Industrial Exposition, Ueno Park, 1907]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Campfire on the peak of Mt. Myogi, Nakasendo]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Geisha in a tearoom]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Kitano temple, Kyoto]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Road along the Fuji river]

Animated stereoview of old Japan  --
[Geisha drinking beer in the park]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Buddhist priest in full dress]

Animated stereoview of old Japan --
[Geisha looking at stereoviews]