These timeless postcards offer an eye-opening glimpse into life in Japan in the early 20th century. Taken from hand-colored photographs, the postcards showcase the still beauty of the country, depicting a nation on the cusp of modernization. The images feature solemn fishermen, bustling streets, temples and shrines: a country yet to be influenced by Western culture. The tinting effect brings out the rich colors of the natural surroundings, with trees, flowers and cherry blossoms jumping from the original black-and-white images. Here: Toyokuni Shrine Nakanoshima, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by New York Public Library/Caters News)

Members of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Hunt ride to Chiddingstone Castle for the annual Boxing Day hunt in Chiddingstone, south east England December 26, 2014. Since a ban stopped fox hunting with hounds, hunts continued with dogs chasing down a pre-laid scented trail instead of a fox. (Photo by Luke MacGregor/Reuters)

An immigrant from Mali rests at the Greek-Macedonian border before an attempt to flee to Macedonia May 13, 2015 village of Idomeni in Kilkis prefecture May 13, 2015. Hundreds of mostly Afghan, Syrian, and African immigrants cross daily from Greece into Macedonia on their way to northern European countries; most of them are turned back by Macedonian border guards. (Photo by Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)

Tobias Mueller of Germany falls as Johannes Aujesky of Austria competes in the Men's Ski Cross of Audi FIS Cross World Cup 2022 at Genting snow park on November 27, 2021 in Zhangjiakou, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Students from St Andrews University are covered in foam as they take part in the traditional Raisin Weekend in the Lower College Lawn, at St Andrews in Scotland on October 22, 2018. The “raisin weekend” stems from a gift of raisins (now flour and foam) traditionally given by a first year student to their academic “parents” in gratitude for their guidance. (Photo by Russell Cheyne/Reuters)

A woman holding carrying a bird cage reacts as people flee following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 23, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Mohammed Abed/AFP Photo)

Models present creations by Colombian designer Guio Di Colombia during the Inclusion catwalk and Expomujer in Cali, Colombia, November 3, 2016. The catwalk includes models of all sizes, races, sexuality and physical ability. (Photo by Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters)

Participants adjust their make up backstage during a breast model contest in Hefei, Anhui province September 24, 2014. Over 100 models participated in this contest, which was held by a cosmetic company. The winner was awarded 680,000 yuan ($110,825) as cosmetic funds and 30,000 yuan ($4,890) in cash, local media reported. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)