[Japanese Naval Officer] [Studio Portrait: Japanese Man (Tateise Onogero) Standing Holding Hat and Sword] 1867

"Japanese Naval Officer" is a studio portrait of a Japanese man in traditional attire. Taken in 1867 by photographer Felice Beato, the image captures a moment of transition in Japanese society. The subject, Tateise Onogero, is depicted standing with a hat in one hand and a sword in the other, his formal clothing and serious demeanor signifying his status and the power of the samurai class during this period. The photograph offers a glimpse into the sartorial customs and societal structures of 19th-century Japan, reflecting the country's changing political and cultural landscape.