Above is a clip of what is thought to be the first ever moving picture film shot in Japan. It was taken in 1897 by French filmmakers using the newly-invented Lumiere camera, and it gives us a rare glipse of what Meiji-era Japan looked like. Actually, maybe it doesn’t, since the above clip of Kendo practice has clearly be exaggerated to make the film more entertaining, something which the Japanese TV show that aired the clip poked some fun at. Think of it as the start of the proud tradition of depicting Japan as strange and wacky in western film/television.

Sidenote: Those interested in photography of old Japan might be interested in London-based photo-historian Terry Bennett’s new book, Photography In Japan, which was reviewed by the Japan Times today. If you’re interested in Korea too, the Marmot’s Hole has posted some fascinating links to a collection of photos taken in 1905.