Frank Matsura : Frontier Photographer

Rating:
Summary: Review by author.
Review: Frank (Sakae) Matsura was the direct descendant of Emperor Saga of Japan, through the lords Matsura of Kyushu, Hirado Island actually. His illustrious past was not discovered until after the publication of the book. I simply was curious about unanswered questions and kept digging. In 1983, the publisher sold the movie rights to a Tokyo production company working for network TV Asahi. The resultant two-hour "made for TV" docu-drama starred a famous Japanese actor, Morio Kazama, and was aired in Japan in 1984. Heibonsha Publishers released a Japanese language edition in 1983, with an updated text, long out of print. In addition, a different publisher bought the rights to exhibit thirty of Matsura's prints from this book for one year throughout Japan. The book won the following awards, among others: Governor's award (Washington), Pacific NW Booksellers' Award, a Merit Award from Photographic Society of New York, National Fed. of Press Women Award. It received reviews in about 100 newspapers and magazines, including a several page review in Popular Photography. The unfolding of Matsura's story has been a thrilling saga for me. It paralleled the period when Japan was emerging from its self-imposed curtain and entering the Meiji Restoration period. Matsura's father and uncle were not only of the lordly family but were special samurai loyal to the Shogun. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, they were "out of a job," and turned unsuccessfully to being tea merchants. Matsura's parents both died, leaving him an orphan to live with his uncle. For years he lived and worked at the Shoei Gakuen in Tokyo, still a prestigious school, founded by his uncle and aunt. He learned English there. He was baptized in the Takanawa Presbyterian Church of Meguro-ku, Tokyo,(still operates) founded by a relative, and baptized by Kumaji Kimura, founder of the YMCA in Japan. Why Matsura suddenly left for the USA is yet unclear, despite exhaustive research, but possibly he discovered he had TB and did not want to spread it to the school children. Nonetheless, his photography, inspired by still another Japanese great, is a major legacy. The book lives on. It was partly the reason for the awarding to me of the first President's Award of the Japan-America Society, because the book garnered immense good will, as well as renown. My agent is investigating the reprinting of one or both books (USA and Japan). The story has been a lasting satisfaction for me personally to introduce. By the way, I have not erred in spelling his name. The heads of family have translated to one "u"--Matsura. Others are two "u"s or Matsuura..people frequently ask me about this matter. I am in touch with his family (discovered through my research) and have been made an honorary Matsura.

Rating:
Summary: Family Interest and Research
Review: My family has a copy of 'Frank Matsura Frontier Photographer' because my grandmother moved to Conconully in 1902 with her family and then married in 1905 and remained there for some time. My mother was born there. Possibly some of the old photos of my grandmother and grandfather in their courting days were taken by Matsura - but at the very least they knew him. I also found several of Matsura's postcards in my grandmother's belongings when she died. The book is marvelous and I have shared it with my family; and have been curious to know whether it is still available in case we want another copy.

Rating:
Summary: Family Interest and Research
Review: My family has a copy of 'Frank Matsura Frontier Photographer' because my grandmother moved to Conconully in 1902 with her family and then married in 1905 and remained there for some time. My mother was born there. Possibly some of the old photos of my grandmother and grandfather in their courting days were taken by Matsura - but at the very least they knew him. I also found several of Matsura's postcards in my grandmother's belongings when she died. The book is marvelous and I have shared it with my family; and have been curious to know whether it is still available in case we want another copy.