2025 Samurai: 700 Years of Armor from the Esteemed Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller: the Culture, Lifestyle, & Artistry of the SamuraiNEW

SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. Coming from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller unveils the culture, lifestyle, and art of the samurai warrior in Japanese society. The exhibition spans almost nine centuries of Samurai armor, from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Edo period (1603-1868), and includes nearly 80 objects - full suits, helmets, weaponry, and full horse armor - all used for both combat and ceremonial purposes.

Samurai belonged to the intellectual elite of Japanese society and practiced creative disciplines that often contrasted with the violent nature of battle, such as calligraphy and poetry. Their armorers worked as masterful artists creating beautiful and delicate pieces, which distinguished the wearer, and were also capable of protecting the samurai in combat. Through tracing the evolution of armor from medieval to early modern Japan, this exhibition explores the artistic legacy of the samurai and offers a glimpse of samurai history spanning more than seven hundred years.

Dates
Philbrook Mar 12, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025

March 6, 2025 Ambassador Circle Opening
March 7, 2025 Member Opening
March 8-9, 2025 Member Weekend

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