Samurai: Japanese Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will exhibit two shows exploring the subject of samurai art this fall. In October, LACMA presents the Southern California premiere of Samurai: Japanese Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection, a major presentation of battle gear worn by samurai from the 12th through the 19th centuries. Examining the evolution of samurai accoutrements through the centuries, this exhibition features more than 140 objects of warrior regalia, including eighteen full suits of armor, elaborate helmets and face guards, and life-size horse-clad armors. Objects in Samurai come from The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection, one of the most comprehensive private holdings of samurai armor in the world encompassing several hundred pieces and spanning ten centuries.
A complementary exhibition to the samurai armor show will be on view at the Pavilion for Japanese Art starting in November. Art of the Samurai: Swords, Paintings, Prints, and Textiles showcases samurai swords and examines the warrior lifestyle. In the Helen and Felix Juda Gallery a presentation of swords, sword fittings, and other weaponry from local collections will be on display. From the LACMA collection, an array of color woodblock prints depicting warriors in battle will be on view as well as a selection of garments worn by samurai and their wives. Battle screens and paintings made for the samurai will also be on view. Art of the Samurai is co-curated by Robert T. Singer, Curator and Department Head of Japanese Art, LACMA; Japanese samurai art specialists Mike Yamasaki, Darin S. Furukawa, and Gary Yoshino; and Sharon S. Takeda, Senior Curator and Department Head of Costume and Textiles, LACMA.
Image credits:
Armor of the Nuinobedō Type and Military Equipment, Late Momoyama period, c. 1600 (chest armor, helmet bowl, shoulder guards); remounted mid-Edo period, mid-18th century ©The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photograph by Brad Flowers
Armor of the Yokohagidō Type, Nanbokuchō period,1333–1392 (helmet); mid-Edo period, 18th century (suit), ©The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photograph by Brad Flowers
Eboshi-Shaped Helmet and Half Mask, late Muromachi to Momoyama period, late 16th century ©The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photograph by Brad Flowers
Two-Piece Armor with Slightly Overlapping Plates, late Momoyama period and Edo period, 2nd half of the 16th century (armor); 17th–18th century (mask) ©The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photograph by Studio Ferrazzini Bouchet Photography
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