A group photo showing Emperor Taisho (1879-1926) with some 260 people in this west Japan city in 1907, when he was crown prince, has been found, highlighting his interaction with commoners at a time when emperors were divinized and such contact with large groups was rare.
The photo, measuring 19.7 centimeters by 15.4 cm, was found in Matsue in February this year when a resident was sorting out things in their old family's storehouse. The Matsue Municipal Government's historical sources survey division identified the man in the center of the front row, clad in an Imperial Japanese Navy ceremonial outfit, as Emperor Taisho based on his appearance, decoration and sleeve patch -- though there are no notes about the date or the figure in the picture.
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Takeshi Hara, professor of history of Japanese political thought at the Open University of Japan, who authored the book "Emperor Taisho," commented, "Emperor Taisho liked cameras, and there's a photo of him with local people in the Korean Empire during his visit in 1907, but a photo taken with this many people is rare. I think it was taken between official activities. He is said to have often talked to commoners and this casual personality of his is expressed here."
