Viscount Ishii: Pioneer of Japanese Diplomacy, 1915-1920

This historical photograph showcases Viscount Kikusiro Ishii, who played a pivotal role in early 20th-century Japanese diplomacy. Captured by the Bain News Service between 1915 and 1920, the image is part of a larger collection that documents significant figures and events during this era. Ishii was influential in shaping Japans foreign policy, particularly his involvement in the 1917 Ishii-Lansing Agreement, which aimed to clarify U.S.-Japanese interests in Asia amidst growing tensions following World War I.

The glass negative, which measures around 5 by 7 inches, emphasizes not just Ishiis status as a diplomat but also the feeling of the time period in which he was active. The Bain News Service was known for its detailed and timely captures of prominent individuals, and this photograph serves as a window into the intricacies of international relations during a transformative period for both Japan and the West. The George Grantham Bain Collection, where this image resides at the Library of Congress, is instrumental for historians studying the interplay of diplomacy and politics in the early 20th century.

Each reproduction of this unique photograph is printed on archival paper using a restored version of the original.