Uncommon carte de visite of an elderly Japanese man seated in traditional kimono, gripping what appears to be a slender, tapered object—possibly an early form of hearing horn or other assistive device. The man’s expression is stern but dignified, and his kimono bears a subtle mon (family crest) in the form of a plum blossom.

The CDV is undated and without studio imprint, but the style and mounting suggest it is likely from the 1870s–1880s when photography in Japan was gaining ground post-Meiji Restoration. The verso is blank with minor foxing and a small chip at the corner.

Images of Japanese elders with personal medical or assistive objects are exceptionally scarce. This piece blends portraiture, cultural history, and possible early disability aid documentation—making it a rare and potentially important survivor of cross-cultural photographic history.