Japanese photography in the late 19th century was largely a commercial enterprise, driven mainly by the desires and expectations of Western consumers. These small, carte-de-visite photographs were made for tourists visiting Japan. Most Japanese studios catered to the tourist trade, producing stereotypical images of Japanese people and scenes, often hand-colored, for visitors to purchase as mementos of their trip. These photographs featuring Japanese women in traditional dress and makeup would have been attractive souvenirs indicative of the country’s unique culture and traditions.