early life and career Taki Katei, a japanese painter, was born on january 27, 1830, in the late tokugawa period. His career spanned two eras, making him an important figure in the transition from traditional to modern japanese art. He was born in Tokyo, Japan, and his father was a masterless samurai (rōnin) who had moved from Aki Province to the shogun’s city. A rōnin was a samurai without a lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of japan. Katei's childhood was marked by exposure to samurai culture and traditions, shaping his artistic sensibilities. He excelled in swordsmanship f…