[Samurai]
Original photograph heightened with delicate watercolours.
Japan, ca. 1890. Albumen print (26.5 x 21.2 cm), with additional colouring.
A nice, large photo, captioned B 1159 Samurai Waking Style. This photograph shows a studio portrait of a samurai, full-length, standing between two potted conifers and bamboo. “Samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the 12th century to their abolition in the 1870s. They were the well-paid retainers of the daimyo (the great feudal landholders). They had high prestige and special privileges such as wearing two swords. They cultivated the bushido codes of martial virtues, indifference to pain, and unflinching loyalty, engaging in many local battles. During the peaceful Edo era (1603 to 1868) they became the stewards and chamberlains of the daimyo estates, gaining managerial experience and education. In the 1870s they were 5% of the population. The Meiji Revolution ended their feudal roles and they moved into professional and entrepreneurial roles. Their memory and weaponry remain prominent in Japanese popular culture.” (Wikipedia). The word ‘waking’ is peculiar, perhaps watching, or warding is meant. The same photo, framed, is, according to their website, present in the Library of Congress. Weak, pencilled annotation on verso. Mildly creased, more so towards the margins; print strong. A very attractive item.