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Samurai: Art of Armor Samurai: Art of Armor AMURAI WARRIORS RULED JAPAN FOR NEARLY A The armor and trappings of a samurai comprised millennium, from the twelfth through the his omote dōgu, or “exterior equipment,” and often nineteenth century. Their armor and other had extravagant and expensive decorations finely Sbattle equipment, once functional military gear, crafted by skilled artisans. Elaborate elements, evolved to become coveted symbols of wealth, such as the deer antlers on the helmet illustrated status, and power. These materials focus on the in this packet symbolized a warrior’s bravery and special exhibition Samurai: Japanese Armor from sometimes made it easier to identify him on the the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection battlefield. More than just practical outerwear, (on view through February 1, 2015). It features both omote dōgu signified the samurai’s status as a the practical armor used from the Kamakura (1185– warrior, member of an elite class, and man of honor. 1333) through the Momoyama (1573–1615) period as well as the largely ceremonial objects of the Edo Bu and Bun period (1615–1868). Educators and students will At first, samurai practiced only the art of war. learn about the samurai, one of the most iconic Later, during peacetime, their responsibilities grew warrior figures of all time, as well as his role in to include administrative positions, and samurai the wider context of Japanese culture. Had to master literacy and learning. The warriors were expected to be well rounded; they trained The legendary samurai, still frequently depicted their bodies and hearts for war; and their minds in art, literature, and film, symbolized courage, for intellectual pursuits. The ideal samurai thus loyalty, and honor. The fierce yet refined imagery combined bu, killing and the art of war, and bun, of samurai is perhaps one of the reasons they still the art of learning. Elite samurai warriors patronized captivate us today. The name “samurai,” stems from artists, writers, and scholars, often sponsoring the word saburafu, meaning “to serve by one’s playwrights and poets. Many samurai also composed side.” These warriors followed a code of idealized their own poetry, studied the art form of calligraphy, behavior known as the “way of the warrior,” or practiced the delicate art of the tea ceremony, and bushido, which focused on seven virtues: honesty, sought mentoring in etiquette from priests. courage, respect, benevolence, rectitude, honor, and loyalty. Bushidō also prescribed acceptance During the Muromachi period (1392–1573), shogun of death, as exemplified by the fact that samurai (although appointed by the emperor, they were the preferred to commit ritual suicide by disembowel- de facto rulers of Japan and samurai were loyal to ment, known as seppuku or harakiri rather than them) exerted a profound cultural influence. They seem disloyal or suffer a stain on their character. amassed impressive collections of paintings (one of which is included in this packet), enthusiastically The elaborate armor and battle gear of the samurai supported theater, and sponsored the construction speaks to their duties as both warriors and of beautiful temples and gardens in Kyoto. Many statesmen. A suit of armor could withstand the warriors practiced Zen Buddhism. Its emphasis on rigors of warfare but was also an aesthetic object discipline, the transience of life, and acceptance of appropriate for public display. death—complemented the samurai code of honor. Historic Rise . and Fall Samurai, part of the elite members of society, In 1853, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry represented only eight percent of the population. landed on the shores of Japan. He demanded trading The rise of this warrior class in Japanese culture rights and forced the weak government to sign a initially resulted from the inward focus of the treaty with the United States. This opened Japan to emperor and his imperial court, neglecting many the US and the world. The Tokugawa shogunate was administrative duties. Gradually, Japan became overthrown during what became known as the Meiji fragmented into small, feudal domains controlled by Restoration. In 1876, samurai were forbidden by law provincial lords or daimyo. They system was similar to wear swords, something that had previously been to European feudalism, with castle lords and their required and visually designated samurai as part of vassals. The daimyo in turn cultivated samurai to the elite class. The samurai class was officially help protect and maintain his lands. The increasingly dissolved during the Meiji period (1868–1912), but number of samurai created a surge in demand for the samurai’s experience in government and arms and armor as several craftsmen were needed administration allowed them to make vital to make the many different elements required to contributions to the emergence of a new, modern outfit men and horses. The imperial court would Japan. become largely ceremonial, and by the end of the twelfth century, Japan was governed by a military Four images of samurai armor and accoutrements government led by the shogun, or chief military ruler. are provided here. Eventually, the dress, cultural values, and traditions of the samurai came to dominate Japan. In 1543, a group of Portuguese sailors, whose ship had been blown off course, landed on the coast of Japan. With them, they brought the matchlock gun, and Japanese warfare and samurai armor were forever changed. Suddenly, traditional armor was ineffective. In response to these new weapons of war, small leather and iron plates gave way to larger, full-frontal iron sheets similar to the armor worn by European knights. The Edo period (1615–1868) was a time of relative peace accomplished by the Tokugawa shogunate that would prove lasting. Samurai remained ready for combat and kept their privileged status, but they served more as bureaucrats and civil leaders than Credits active warriors. Armor became a leading symbol of These curriculum materials were prepared by Veronica pageantry and prestige. Samurai would dress Alvarez and Holly Gillette, and designed by Jenifer Shell. © 2014 Museum Associates/LACMA. All rights reserved. themselves and their horses in full armor and carry weapons for parades and the mandatory biannual Evenings for Educators is made possible by The Rose Hills processions between their home domains and the Foundation, the Joseph Drown Foundation, and the Kenneth capital, Edo (present-day Tokyo). Since the size and T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation. splendor of the convoys reflected a daimyo’s status, Education programs at the Los Angeles County Museum of significant resources were invested in creating Art are supported in part by the William Randolph Hearst pieces of great artistic refinement meant to impress, Endowment Fund for Arts Education and the Margaret A. as seen in the included images of samurai cavalry. Cargill Arts Education Endowment. EBoshi-Shaped Helmet (Eboshi Kambuto) and Half Mask (Menpō), Japan, late 16th–17th century ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ELMETS WERE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF A The mask, made of metal, provided protection samurai’s armor. Styles changed over time for the samurai’s face and throat. This half-mask but most were shaped in a simple dome and covered the lower part of the face and is Hconstructed of anywhere from three to one hundred characterized by rounded cheekbones, a small iron plates. Some helmets had an opening on the nose, and a bushy mustache made of horsehair. top for ventilation and to allow the warrior to slip his topknot through. Discussion Prompts Samurai often decorated their helmets with distinctive, • What qualities do you associate with deer? fearsome embellishments. Such decoration became • The deer antlers would have made the samurai more important after the introduction of firearms to readily visible to friend and foe alike. How does Japan in the sixteenth century. When guns were used, this exemplify the ideals of honor, duty, and the battlefields became full of smoke and troops had courage associated with samurai? difficulty seeing. In order to be easily recognizable in battle, warriors began wearing elaborate ornaments, • What does this helmet tell us about the samurai such as the deer antlers seen here. This iron helmet, warrior who owned it? What can we tell about lacquered in gold, imitates a tall hat, or eboshi, worn Japanese culture from it? at the imperial court. A youth of the samurai • Think about the different types of headgear class received his first eboshi at the time of his people wear on different occasions—such as to coming-of-age ceremony, when he was twelve play sports or to go outside when it’s very cold or years old. Two crescent-shaped, stylized hot. How is it decorated? What symbols and/or eyebrows (uchimayu) decorate the wide visor. embellishments are used? What does it say about the person wearing it? EBoshi-Shaped Helmet (Eboshi Kambuto) and Half Mask (Menpõ) Japan, late 16th–17th century Iron, gold lacquer, bronze, horn, and horsehair Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection Photograph by Brad Flowers © The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas Byōbu (folding screen),Japan, early 18th century ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HIS SIX-PANEL FOLDING SCREEN SHOWS A FAMOUS scene fought here in the era of Jisho, Ashikaga Matataro from the warrior tale “The Heike Monogatari.” The Tadatsuna crossed over, and he was but a youth of story chronicles the Genpei War (1180–1185), fought seventeen years, so here is no matter for god or devil. Tbetween two samurai clans, the Taira (also known as the I, Shigetada, will be the first in the flood." Heike clan) and the Minamoto (also known as the Genji And as he and his band of five hundred followers clan) for control of Japan. Here, two Minamoto warriors, were pushing together into the waves, two warriors Takatsuna and Kagesue, make a friendly wager with each were seen to gallop forth from the point of Tachibana- other to see who can cross the rushing Uji River first.
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