Ambrotype photo of Ito Motoi Scholar of German who later became implicated in Siemens Incident
Ito Motoi (1862-1925) together with his elder brother Ito Shigeru (1857-1926) founded a literary association called “Takesu-sha” that published translations of German novels in its magazine “Inaka Shinshi”. He was born in Hirosaki, Aomori prefecture, and became a German language scholar. His father and brother were doctors and Motoi actually began studying medicine before switching to literature and German studies. After graduating, he worked as a professor of German at Kumamoto 5th High School, Sendai 2nd High School and other schools, and later joined the Siemens company, but left after being implicated in the so-called Siemens Incident of 1914 in which he was suspected of bribing a high-ranking Japanese naval officer. After returning to Hirosaki, he helped with the administration and clerical work of his family's hospital and died in 1925.
Photographer unknown.
9.4 x 7.3cm.
In very good condition. Minor age wear and a few minor marks. Inscribed on outside of wooden box lid, 'Ito Motoi no Zo' ['Portrait of Ito Motoi']. p37031825
