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1860s Japan - portrait of a mendicant nun beggar Felice or Felix Beato
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1860s Japan - portrait of a mendicant nun beggar Felice or Felix Beato
1860s Japan - portrait of a mendicant nun beggar
Felice or Felix Beato (1832 - 29 January 1909), Italian-British photographer working mostly in India, Japan, China
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23450654
© Mary Evans / Pump Park Photography
1832 Aoriental Arcival Beato Beggar Collodion Felice Felix Geisha Geishas Italianabritish Kimono Meiji Mendicant Orient Photographer Shogun Shogunate Tokugawa 1860s Albumen January
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This evocative portrait captures the enigmatic figure of a mendicant nun, or Oshi, from the late 1860s in Japan. The photograph was taken by Felice or Felix Beato (1832-1899), an Italian-British photographer renowned for his extensive work in Asia during the 19th century. Beato's expertise in various photographic processes, including albumen and collodion, allowed him to capture intricate details and subtle textures, as seen in this image. The nun's somber expression and simple attire reflect the ascetic lifestyle of her order. She wears a traditional Japanese kimono, with a muted, earth-toned obi sash, and her shaved head is adorned with a simple white headdress. The frayed edges of her clothing and the worn, patched fabric suggest a life of poverty and hardship. The photograph's title, "Mendicant Nun," further underscores her role as a beggar, relying on the generosity of others to survive. This image offers a glimpse into the lives of religious women during the late Tokugawa Shogunate and the early Meiji era in Japan. The period was marked by significant social and political change, including the end of the isolationist policy and the introduction of Western influences. The presence of European photographers, like Beato, played a role in documenting these transformations and preserving a record of Japan's rich cultural heritage. This vintage photograph, with its intricate details and historical significance, invites viewers to reflect on the experiences of women in Japan during a pivotal time in its history.
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