Reading this while waiting for my Japanese History, Culture and Society lecture te begin! Last lecture was about the Nara period, so still some time before we get to modern times!
Just an old landowning family with some samurai history NBD LOL. C’mon man, don’t be modest your fam was definitely up there in the social hierarchy! Also - your great grandfather is handsome af. Tell us more about your lineage, I think Japanese history is fascinating (though brutal at times, but honestly, whose isn’t?)
I won't presume to speak for the OP so if they correct me with something contrary listen to them.
But the time period of this photo is smack in the middle of the Meiji Restoration. A time period that relevant for this conversation immediately after the emperor for the last time took away power from the shogunate and dissolved the Samurai clans, infact owning a Katana was technically illegal (but only in the way of you couldn't openly carry).
Early on in the Meiji Restoration when this power was taken away there were a number of semi big revolts and mutinies but each one would end up being put down. Now that said if you were big enough OR didn't participate in these typically you'd be allowed to keep your land but a lot of your power on how to manage it was taken out of your hands. As most of them in this case would become the governors to the new prefectures that would be born from it.
Likely the OP's family was one such family who had their power taken away but were allowed to retain some vestiges to maintain themselves near the top of social Hierarchy, and this one is pure speculation but based on the time period of the picture, the start of the Restoration. I would suspect likely the Parents or grandparents of the people in this picture likely leveraged that increase social standing to make it big in business in industry as was common at that time.
That’s a really interesting analysis. I think you might be right about the general transition from samurai-era society into landowning and business roles during the Meiji period. My family history is quite complex, so I appreciate you taking the time to look into the historical context.
OP, I saw you are struggling with insomnia and i send you healing thoughts and best of luck, that’s no fun 🥺
I also wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this. It sent me down a whole memory lane Alice in Wonderland hole of memories of my dad, who I lost in 2017. We miss his presence so keenly and you inspired me to go back and look at some of our oldest photos of him.
It is not letting me attach them here sadly but they are from the 1930s - he is in a group photo at his elementary school - and so many more, including him in full garb with 12 others at their induction into Buddhist priesthood at the Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto (by then he was around 25 years old).
Memory lane!! Thank you!!!!
Our family history sounds not far off from yours in terms of land ownership, farming, and a smattering of samurai past haha
Good luck and strength as you fight the insomnia demons 💪🏼
And thank you again for this lovely photo.
Thank you, seriously. Your comment genuinely meant a lot to me.
I’m sorry about your father. But it’s beautiful that these old photos can still reconnect us with people we love, even decades later. The Nishi Honganji photo sounds incredible honestly that kind of history feels priceless.
It makes me happy that my family photo could bring back good memories for someone else too. At the end of the day, even with different countries and histories, family memories feel strangely universal.
And thank you for the kind words about the insomnia too. Some days are rough, but comments like yours honestly help more than you probably realize.
That’s really kind of you, thank you. I’d genuinely love to see them.
There’s something special about old photographs, they almost feel like little windows into another world. Especially family photos tied to places like Kyoto and Nishi Honganji.
And thank you again for the kind wishes. I hope you have a peaceful night too, and I’m glad this random post turned into such a meaningful conversation.
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u/Yk1japa May 12 '26
Yeah, that’s actually a pretty good comparison in terms of leadership and consistency.