Large Format Photo of Tattooed Man Attributed to Yamamoto
[Japan] Impressive, large format, hand-coloured albumen photo of a tattooed Japanese man. He was most likely a betto or groom, who would lead and take care of horses for their owners/riders. Interestingly, he is holding a small bag with the characters for, 'Hi no Yojin' ['Be wary of fires'], an expression still used today in Japan to warn people about the risk of fires. The three-footed stand and the stones scattered on the floor of the studio indicate this photo was most likely the work of the Yokohama-based photographer, Yamamoto, of whom very little is known. On the other side of the mount is a photo of a temple in Nikko.
Attributed to Yamamoto. 26 x 20.9cm. c1880.
In very good condition. Mounted on larger card and titled, 'Tattooed'. Temple photo on rear titled, 'Temple Gate, Nikko'. Only minor age wear and a few marks that appear to be in the negative. p35091465
