Samurai

The splendour of Japanese chivalry
February 1–June 30, 2019

About the exhibition

The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection

Even 150 years after the samurai culture was extinguished, its fascination remains undiminished. The samurai legends are tales of honour and discipline, unquestioning loyalty and absolute self-sacrifice – interwoven with betrayal, intrigue and brutal violence. For over 700 years, it was not the emperor who ruled Japan, but the shogun: as the leader of the ‘aristocratic warrior class’, he commanded millions of highly trained soldiers, who became the country’s political élite at an early stage in its history

MASTERPIECES OF PRECISION

Exquisitely wrought of precious metals and sumptuous materials, the armour of the samurai was often an imposing status symbol, designed to inspire a sense of wonder. Nonetheless, its primary function was an efficient protective shield. After all, the quality of a warrior’s armour meant the difference between life and death. It protected him from his enemy’s weapons, afforded freedom of movement and made its wearer easily identifiable in the tumult of the battlefield. Armour was designed with a robust, flexible, lightweight construction, enabling its wearer to make the most of his fighting skills. Spectacular embellishments with demons, mythical creatures or wild beasts were intended to fill the enemy with dread. Delicate flourishes with auspicious symbols of glory and victory or Buddhist deities were supposed to provide supernatural protection.

A UNIQUE COLLECTION

Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller have amassed one of the world’s most outstanding collections of samurai armour, helmets, masks and horse tack, dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries, which is now being presented in Germany for the first time. Featuring in excess of 100 objects, the exhibition brings the spellbinding history of Japanese chivalry to life

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Exhibition Leaflet

Armor (Yokohagidō tōsei gusoku)(Detail)
Nanbokuchō period, 1336-1392 (helmet); mid-Edo period, 18th century (suit)
Iron, shakudō, gold and silver lacquer, lacing, leather, bronze, wood, silk, brocade, bear fur
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas
Photo: Brad Flowers

Folding screen (Byōbu)
Mid Edo period, early 18th century
Ink, color, and gold on paper
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas
Photo: Studio Ferrazzini Bouchet Photography, Geneva

Armor (Nimaitachidō tōsei gusoku)
Attributed: Myōchin Yoshimichi (helmet bowl, Muromachi period, ca. 1400); Myōchin Munenori (armor, mid Edo period, 18th century)
Iron, shakudō, lacing, silver, wood, gold, brocade, fur, bronze, brass, leather
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas
Photo: Brad Flowers

Ridged helmet with large rivets (Ōboshi sujibachi kabuto)
Signed: Masuda Myōchin Ōsumi no kami Ki no Munemasa (active 1688–1749)
Mid Edo period, ca. 1730
Iron, gold, silver, bronze, shakudō, leather
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas
Photo: Brad Flowers

Armor (Yokohagidō tōsei gusoku)
Signed: Saotome Ienari living in Hitachi province (Jōshū no jū Saotome Ienari; helmet); Ichiguchi Yoshikata (mask)
Early to mid Edo period:
17th century (helmet bowl); 18th century (mask and armor)
Iron, leather, gold, wood, lacing, fur, hemp
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas
Photo: Brad Flowers

Ridged helmet (Sujibachi kabuto) with demon (oni) and fern fronds
Late Muromachi to mid Edo period, 16th–mid-18th century
Iron, lacing, fur, gold, shakudō, bronze, leather
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas, Photo: Brad Flowers

Sword (Efu no tachi)
Signed: Yokoyama Kōzuke Daijō Fujiwara Sukesada residing in Osafune in Bizen province (Bishū Osafune jū Yokoyama Kōzuke Daijō Fujiwara Sukesada)
Early Edo period, 1660–1670
Bronze, stingray skin, wood, lacquer, nashiji, gold
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas, Photo: Brad Flowers

Surcoat (jinbaori)
Mid Edo period, 18th century
Wool, silk, brocade
© The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas, Photo: Brad Flowers

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Catalog

Samurai

The samurai dominated Japan’s history for centuries, not just as warriors but as the political élite. Their legends are tales of courage and discipline, loyalty and noble self-sacrifice – interwoven with betrayal, intrigue and ruthless violence. Exquisitely wrought of precious metals and sumptuous materials, their armour was not merely a protective covering, but also an imposing status symbol. Over a period spanning more than 30 years, Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller built up an
outstanding collection of samurai armour, along with helmets and masks, horse tack and weaponry dating from the 7^th to the 19^th century, which is now being presented in Germany for the first time. Featuring in excess of 100 objects, the exhibition brings the fascinating history of Japanese chivalry to life.

Edited by J. Gabriel Barbier-Mueller and Roger Diederen.

Published by Hirmer, 360 pages, 347 colour illustrations, 25,5 x 30,5 cm, hardcover.

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