LONDON, Feb 08 (News On Japan) –
Rosina Buckland, curator of the Japanese collections on the British Museum, has supplied a Japanese-language tour of the museum’s Samurai exhibition in London, highlighting the varied historical past and cultural legacy of Japan’s warrior class past its common picture as fighters alone.
Buckland defined that whereas the time period “samurai” is widely known around the globe, it’s typically understood solely by way of warfare, and the exhibition goals to deepen understanding within the West of the numerous roles samurai performed throughout historical past. By viewing armor, artworks, and handwritten paperwork, guests can discover the breadth and richness of samurai historical past and recognize its cultural depth.
The exhibition is split into three sections. The first focuses on the medieval interval, exploring themes of battle and tradition. Among the featured objects is a portrait of a younger samurai linked to a daimyo household who traveled to Europe on the age of 13 in the course of the Tensho period. After a two-year journey to the Vatican, he returned to Japan, and on his means dwelling a portrait of him was painted in Venice by the famend artist Tintoretto. Depicted in elegant Western apparel like an Italian noble, the work is amongst Buckland’s favourite items within the exhibition.
The exhibition additionally explores the connection between samurai and Britain. In 1613, shogun Tokugawa Hidetada despatched a go well with of armor as a diplomatic present to King James I. The armor took two years to succeed in London, arriving in 1615, and has been displayed within the nation for about 400 years, changing into an emblem of British consciousness of Japan. Another go well with of armor from the Royal Collection can be on show. Presented in 1869, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, it was a present from Emperor Meiji to Prince Alfred, one of many first members of a European royal household to go to Japan. The armor symbolizes the trendy diplomatic relationship and friendship between Japan and Britain.
Buckland additionally highlighted a recent work created for the exhibition by artist Noguchi Tetsuya. The piece incorporates a detailed miniature samurai determine carrying armor whereas driving a toy rubber duck. By combining parts from totally different historic durations and introducing a way of playful dissonance, the sculpture presents a contemporary perspective on custom and modernity, making it one in all Buckland’s favourite works.
A show of Darth Vader can be included, reflecting the affect of samurai tradition on world popular culture. Buckland famous that director George Lucas has typically cited Akira Kurosawa’s movies as a significant inspiration for Star Wars. The form of Darth Vader’s helmet is instantly influenced by samurai armor, and narrative parts within the movie collection draw from Kurosawa’s work, together with The Hidden Fortress. The ongoing world recognition of samurai themes in movies, tv, and video video games, resembling Netflix’s samurai-themed productions and titles like Nioh, reveals that fascination with samurai tradition continues worldwide, not solely in Japan but additionally throughout the United States, Europe, and past.
Source: TBS