Watanabe, the Japanese Photographer in Hanoi: A Historical Enigma

A Mysterious Figure Emerges

From 1910 onward, a Japanese photographer named Watanabe operated in Hanoi. His name appeared in the Annuaire général de l’Indochine until 1914, always listed with the initial H. before his surname.

Yet, another Watanabe—this time with a first name starting with S.—was credited on studio portraits.

Was this the same individual? A relative? Or simply an error in the directory, which often reused outdated information, updating only addresses or business statuses?

A Studio on the Move
In 1910, the Annuaire de l’Indochine recorded that Watanabe, both a photographer and owner of the Bazar japonais, relocated his studio from 25 to 54 Tien Tsin Street (now Trần Hưng Đạo Street) in Hanoi. This move suggests a thriving business and an established presence in the local community.

A Legacy in Postcards
Between 1910 and 1913, Watanabe produced postcards depicting scenes from Tonkin (northern Vietnam). These bore the inscription:
« L’IMPRIMEUR S. WATANABE PHOTOGRAPHE HANOI »
This signature hints at a broader commercial ambition, targeting not just locals but also travelers and collectors.

Tragedy and Departure
In 1912, Kinuyo Watanabe, wife of Shirito Watanabe, passed away at Hanoi’s Indigenous Hospital at the age of 26. Three years later, in 1915, Watanabe left Hanoi permanently, returning to Japan.

Unanswered Questions
Was Watanabe a single individual with multiple roles, or did the name represent a family business? The records leave room for interpretation, inviting further research into this intriguing chapter of Hanoi’s history.

Hanoï : Portrait of a European woman. Original studio photo on cardboard, S. WATANABE

Photo 13,5cm x 9,8cm sur carton décoré 18,8cm x 13,1cm.

Postcard of Tonkin, 1912. S. Watanabé

Death certificate of Kinuyo Watanabe, 1912

Year,Event

• 1910,Opens studio at 25 Tien Tsin Street (now Trần Hưng Đạo Street)
• 1910,Moves studio to 54 Tien Tsin Street; also owns the Bazar japonais
• 1912,Wife Kinuyo Watanabe dies at Hanoi’s Indigenous Hospital, aged 26
• 1915,Leaves Hanoi permanently for Japan