About This Image

Three Japanese Men in Western Dress, 1868-1872

3.75 x 2.75 inch Ambrotype, 1/4 plate in Original Kiri-Wood Case

Full-length portrait of three Japanese men standing outdoors. The men all wear Western dress, including trousers, leather shoes and waistcoats with watch chains. One man holds an umbrella and the other two have walking sticks. As with many Meiji-period photographs, this image shows the juxtaposition of Western influence with the Eastern tradition. The man on the left wears a bowler hat, while the other two men have topknots. And, all three men wear a sword at their hip.

The word "shashinn" or, "photo" is written on the front of the case lid.