[TURKISH-JAPANESE RELATIONS / PHOTOGRAPHY] A large photograph depicting Turkey's Tokyo Ambassador Hüsrev Gerede (1884-1962) and his wife Lamia Hanim in a formal setting alongside Japanese foreign officials

NIIMIYAKWAN [or NIIMIYAKAN] PHOTO STUDIO OF TOKYO (Photographed by), HÜSREV GEREDE (1884-1962).

Nimiyakwan Photo Studio, Tokyo, [c. 1936-1939].

Original sepia-toned gelatine silver photograph in its original cardboard. Dimensions: 27 x 21 cm. A blind-stamped studio name in the lower left corner, with the studio's bilingual name printed in French and Japanese on the lower left and right of the cardboard. The left side exhibits water staining, and the cardboard hinges are split, resulting in three loosely connected pieces. Despite these imperfections, the photograph remains in overall good condition.

This historically significant image captures a moment of diplomatic relations and cultural exchange, highlighting the ambassador's role in fostering ties between Turkey and Japan during the Showa period.

The photograph was likely taken shortly after the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, coinciding with Hüsrev Gerede's recent appointment as Turkey's ambassador to Japan. This period in Japanese history was marked by the rise of extreme nationalism and a series of expansionist conflicts. Following its defeat in World War II, Japan experienced foreign occupation for the first time in its history, later re-emerging as a major global economic power.

Diplomatic relations between Republican Turkey and Japan were first established in 1925. The following year, in 1926, a Japanese fleet arrived in Istanbul, and its commander, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, met with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. During this visit, a maritime agreement was signed. Over the years, other agreements were concluded, and reciprocal visits were made. However, relations were disrupted during World War II when Japan entered the war in 1941. Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Japan on January 6, 1945, and declared war on February 23, 1945. On August 15 of the same year, Japan, as part of the Axis powers, accepted unconditional surrender, marking its defeat in the war.

Hüsrev Gerede was a distinguished Turkish diplomat and career officer who served in both the Ottoman Army and the Turkish Army. Between 1936 and 1939, he held the position of Turkish Ambassador to Japan, representing the Republic of Turkey during a critical period in international relations.