Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset

February 1-June 1, 2025

Step into the world of a Samurai and experience the armor, weaponry, and personal artifacts that comprise Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset. Dedicated to the powerful military class that ruled Japan for nearly 700 years, each item tells a story through its master craftsmanship and individual details.

The exhibition features some 100 pieces created between the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) and the Meiji period (1868-1912). Full suits of Samurai armor illustrate the varying materials from which they were made - silk, leather, iron, steel, and brass - as well as their intricate decorative designs, braid lacings, and lacquer finishes. Spectacular helmets, fashioned in eccentric shapes, reveal their inspiration in sacred and natural elements. A range of Samurai weaponry demonstrates their military prowess, including examples of their iconic and legendary sword, the katana. Exquisite objects such as laquered calligraphy boxes, incense trays, and delicate vases tell the more personal story of Samurai life.

Armor, weaponry, and personal items were all important signifiers of social class, wealth, leadership positions, and family ties. They were always worn, even in times of peace. Through these pieces one can trace the social, political, economic, and familial histories of the Samurai class and broader Japan.

Samurai, Sunrise, Sunset is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert, Italy, in cooperation with the EDG, USA.

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^{Images ©Archivio Fotografico Museo Stibbert.}

Companion Exhibition: Evolution of the Japanese Sword

January 18-May 4, 2025

Iron swords (chokuto) were crafted in Japan as early as 300 BC, styled after the swords from the Asian mainland. As the swordsmiths of Japan refined their art during the Jokoto, or Ancient Sword Period (300BC-980AD), a blade unique to the island nation began to emerge.

In this exhibition, you will see examples of swords from the Koto (980-1596), Shinto (1596-1781), Shinshinto (1781-1876), and Kindaito (1876-present) periods and follow the evolution of these weapons through time and from smelter to finishing. Sword fittings are also on display and are beautiful and intricate works of art, unique to the Samurai who commissioned them.

Presented in public for the first time is a unique and rare piece made to look like a normal wakizashi (a smaller sword) but which also houses a hidden filet knife for sashimi as well as a grater for wasabi and skewers to hold the fish.

More than a mere weapon of war, the iconic Samurai sword of Japan and its accompanying fittings were elevated to works of high art that were, and still are, treasured and collected for their beauty and craftsmanship.

The Evolution of the Japanese Sword is organized by Jidai Arts.

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^{Fuchi Kashira (handle collar and end cap), 18th Century by Hisanori. This set made of shakudo alloy, gold, and silver, features an elaborate design of peacocks, which were often kept by high level samurai as sentries on their grounds due to their territorial nature. Image courtesy Jidai Arts.}