CDV of young Japanese samurai boy with carer taken by Felix Beato
[Japan] This is a fascinating photo on multiple levels. A young boy from a samurai family stands next to a lady with a shaven head. Although not titled, the photo is from a series of photos that Felice Beato took and is known to have been titled, 'Japanese widow and her son'. This would appear to be incorrect as the woman is almost certainly too old to be the boy's mother. She was most likely a Buddhist nun who was possibly related to the boy (grandmother?) or was appointed as a kind of mentor to him. The fact that they were photographed together also indicates a close relationship. The boy also has quite a strong resemblance to Masuda Takashi (1848-1938), who worked as an interpreter for the first two U.S. Resident Ministers in Japan, Townsend Harris and Robert H. Pruyn in the early 1860s. Masuda went on to become a very successful man and also established the Mitsui Trading Company. If the photo was taken in 1863 or so, it could well be him but if it was taken in 1868 or so, the boy in the photo is probably a bit too young to be Masuda. Still it is an interesting possibility.
Probably Yokohama. Felix Beato. c1865.
8.7 x 5.4cm.
In very good condition with only very minor age wear. p37021806
