Koboto Santaro, Samurai with armour, 1864-67 (photo)

Beato's caption on the photograph is self-explanatory. "…Koboto Santaro was the Commander in chief of the Tycoon's (the Shogun's) Army - a Japanese gentleman of liberal ideas and considerable education and knowledge of foreign countries, their laws, government, and constitutions- and well known in Yokohama, as one of those who lent the whole weight of their influence to assist in keeping up friendly relations with foreigners. He was killed at the attack on the Tycoon's palace at Osaka, in February, 1868, when Hitotsubashi the Shogun) fled to Yedo. The ancient armour shewn (sic), is now seldom seen; and since the introduction of foreign fire-arms, has fallen into comparative disuse". Illustrated: Worswick, Japan; Photographs, 1854-1905, (New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1979) p.36