Much of Japan’s history included the samurai, a warrior class of skilled fighters who came to play a major political role. In the 1860s, the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, along with societal changes in Japan, led to samurai falling from grace and losing much of their status and privileges. In the 1870s, samurai were officially and legally abolished as a class. The carrying of swords in public was banned, a right that once belonged solely to the samurai.
Luckily, photographers were able to capture what true samurai really looked like just before the warrior class became a relic of the past. Check out these photographs of Japan’s last samurai at the end of an era.
1
A masterless samurai, circa 1867. As the government stripped samurai of their status and privileges, many became vagabond outcasts, selling their services as mercenaries.
2
Japanese samurai wear their armor for a group photo, 1865.
3
Japanese envoys on a diplomatic mission to Paris, pictured with a French commander. 1864.
4
A noblewoman being carried in a luxurious palanquin called a ‘norimono’. She is surrounded by samurai escorts. Circa 1867
5
Portrait of a samurai taken circa 1873-76, when the samurai class was just about to disappear. In 1876, the wearing of swords in public was banned.
6
Commander of Kanagawa’s Shogunal forces, Kubota Sentaro, in traditional samurai armor with his retainers. Circa 1864.
7
Portrait of a warrior in Yokohama, colorized. Circa 1869-1881.
8
A swordswoman wearing an outfit of the ‘gekken-kai’, a group who turned traditional samurai combat into a public fencing performance. Circa 1875.
9
Samurai commander, circa 1870.
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A group of samurai pose for a photograph. Circa 1862.
11
Lord of the Mito domain, Tokugawa Akitake, in Paris as a special emissary. 1867.
12
Kubota Sentaro, commander of the Kanagawa garrison, in his armor and wielding a katana. Circa 1864.
13
Samurai in traditional outfit, circa 1868
14
A samurai in full armor, circa 1870, during the Bakumatsu period.
15
Portrait of an aging samurai in 1865.
16
Samurai brandishing his sword, circa 1860.
17
Three samurai in armor, circa 1860s. From left to right, they carry a yumi (bow), katana (sword), and yari (spear).
18
A group of samurai gather to discuss a map, circa 1867
