yokohamashi

I wish there were a way to know more specifically which neighborhood this is, so more detailed, thorough historical or comparative descriptions could be offered. Nevertheless, note the combination of traditional Japanese style homes and Western-style ones. Yokohama was made a major city more or less overnight (figuratively speaking) when, in the 1850s, it was made a treaty port and opened up not only to foreign trade but also to foreign settlement. Along with Nagasaki, Kobe, and Edo (later called Tokyo), Yokohama was one of the chief centers of European activity and influence in this period, and retains elements of that character today.

@toranosuke: with your hint that you saw western-style homes, I made the assumption that we are looking at the Yokohama Bund (place of foreign business and settlement), and at the Yokohama Canal. What bridge, though? It's not the one at the end of the canal, visible here. So I looked at an old Yokohama map on the David Rumsey site, and just started working my way up. Lucky for me, it appears that this is the second bridge, Maeda Bridge. We're looking at it from the top of the 100 Motomachi Steps. Here's another view from the top, taken at a different time because some bulidings have changed. Nagasaki University also has a view from the other side of the bridge looking back at the cliff face. It should be rather easy to take a "Now" of this picture, assuming you can get to Yokohama. There is a park right at the top of the old steps, called Motomachi Hundred-Step Park. It's at 中区山手町56-1. Someone go take a picture!

@rocketpad: thanks so much for taking the effort to figure this all out. If only I still lived in Yokohama, I'd gladly go and take that photo. I actually lived not far from that park, although I don't believe I ever came across this particular park, or realized any significance of it. The name Maeda-bashi rings no bells. But it does show up as a still-extant placename on Google Maps. ... Looking at it on Street View, I realize I've crossed that bridge countless times while living there, just never realized the name of the bridge. Very very neat. Thanks again for the info!

Not a shot from the same view, but at least a shot of the same bridge, as it looks today. Note the bridge on the right in the old photo. That is, if not the exact same bridge (same timbers, etc), it is at least in the same spot and bears the same name - Maeda-bashi - as the bridge in this photo:

@toranosuke: Glad to help! (seriously, it's fun looking this stuff up :) I'm also glad to see other people interested in the NYPL Kusakabe prints!

Hatoba=port.

What a difference time makes in all things ideological and concrete. It would have been a great voyage from san francisco to yokohama.