Portrait of a Masterless Samurai by Shimooka Renjō (1823-1914), taken in Yokohama, c.1867. Albumen print from wet collodion negative.
This portrait of a ronin taken by a photographer who was born into a family of low-ranking samurai illustrates the fate of many samurai. Some adopted professions they had been taught to despise, others fell between the cracks and eked out a vagabond existence on the edge of society, offering their swords for hire.
Kubota Sentarō in Armour with Retainers, by Felice Beato (c.1834- 1909), taken in Yokohama, c.1864. Hand-coloured albumen print from wet collodion negative. As commander of the shogunal forces posted in nearby Kanagawa, Kubota had frequent access to the foreign settlement in Yokohama.