A captivating collection of Native American portraiture by early 20th-century Japanese
photographer Frank S. Matsura frames the rarely told story of his work and unique personal
life. Frank S. Matsura (1873-1913) was an immigrant photographer a local hero a charismatic
original an enigma and a man of the community whose legacy has grown over time. Today
historians are still compiling the details of Frank’s unconventional life and his identity and
images are enjoying a revival. An expansion of academic scholarship documentaries exhibitions
and regional historical interests particularly regarding his Native American portraiture has
resulted in a more vivid understanding of the man and his work: Matsura’s photographs of local
tribal members reveal an honesty and empathy a counterpoint to the contrived or nostalgic seen
in his contemporaries’ images from the same period. His oeuvre of just ten years (due to his
unexpected passing from tuberculosis) documents everyday local events and the cacophony of
characters who visited his studio for dime portraits. There are parallels to be found between
Matsura’s work and today’s society in attempts to rise above anti-Asian bias the continued
pursuit of cultural agency and a desire to individually define what America can and should be.
Along with beautifully reproduced black-and-white photographs the book features narratives
from five scholars who give life and context to Matsura’s work celebrating his captivating
photography as a look into immigrant artists American identity and the history of a fluid and
multicultured exceptionalism. THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF ITS KIND: Frank Matsura was a
Japanese-born photographer who lived in northern Washington State in the early 20th century.
This is a rare and comprehensive exploration of his life including the juxtaposition of his
work against the images of Native American people by American photographer Edward S. Curtis.
MATSURA' S SINGULAR WORK AND STYLE: Matsura’s work broke many cultural and photographic
taboos of the time. He took candid and relaxed photos of his subjects including local Native
American tribes. Many of his images were spontaneous group photos of locals in character and
costume. He included himself in many of his photos and he included interracial couples in his
images as well. A HIDDEN FIGURE WHOSE TIME HAS COME: This collection was based on a 2023
exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Interest in Matsura’s work has gained
momentum over the years and this book coincides with the release of Emmy Award–winning
filmmaker Beth Harrington’s documentary Our Mr. Matsura on his work and legacy. Perfect for:
American and Native American history buffs Photographers and artists Fans of Frank Matsura'
s unconventional story and work Lovers of vintage historical and portrait photography
