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)

An Indonesian worker carries a giant candle at a traditional Chinese candle maker for the upcoming Lunar New Year in Bogor, Indonesia, 27 January 2015. The Chinese Lunar New Year, known here as Imlek, is only three weeks away. The whole city is getting decked out to celebrate the event on 19 February 2015. (Photo by Adi Weda/EPA)

A man dressed up as the Statue of Liberty walks in front of a new digital advertising screen in Times Square, New York, November 18, 2014. According to local media the screen is a full block long, 8 stories tall, is lit with 24 million LED pixels and has a higher resolution than most TV sets. The advertising rate is reported at $2.5 million USD for a four-week run making it one of the most expensive outdoor advertising spaces in the world. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

A worker works on a “Transformers” replica on the outskirts of Shanghai, June 18, 2014. Li Lei, owner of a small factory, uses his spare time and money to build “Transformers” replicas for rent or sale. The new Transformers movie, which is premiering later this month, has brought the factory many new orders, according to Li. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

A worker stands by a historic building as it is moved down the block on wheels on New York Avenue to make way for a new construction July 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. A team from Expert House Movers have been moving the historic building near 4th Street which is one of the largest structures in the DC area to be moved. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP Photo)

People in traditional Chinese costumes attend a parade to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon on January 28, 2024 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on February 10 this year. (Photo by Yang Bo/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

People run into the sea at the beach of Scheveningen on New Year's Day, Scheveningen, Netherlands, 01 January 2023. The traditional New Year's dive was resumed after the two previous editions were canceled due to the corona crisis. (Photo by Remko de Waal/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Dancers perform during the annual Tartan Day Parade along Sixth Avenue on April 15, 2023 in New York City. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the New York City Tartan Day Parade featured many Scottish clans, Pipers, Dancers and Scottish dogs. (Photo by Andrew Schwartz/SIPA Images/Rex Features/Shutterstock)