Who is Hara Kei from Silk and what is their importance?

Hara Kei is a Japanese nobleman. He deals silkworm eggs on the black market and rules over a rural village located in the mountains. Kei speaks French and carries a rifle, suggesting that he received Western militia training sometime after Japan opened up its borders foreigners in 1854. He is associated with dark, somber colors. Hara Kei is the name of an actual historical figure.