Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868"This extensively illustrated catalogue is published in conjunction with the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to the arts of the samurai, including the finest examples of swords - the spirit of the samurai - as well as sword mountings and fittings, armor and helmets, saddles, textiles, and paintings. The works in the catalogue, drawn from public and private collections in Japan, include 34 officially designated National Treasures and 64 Important Cultural Properties, the largest number ever to be shown together at one time. Dating from the 5th to the early 20th century, these majestic objects offer a complete picture of samurai culture and its unique blend of the martial and the refined." "Many of the greatest Japanese swordsmiths are represented in this volume, from early masters such as Yasuie (12th century) and Tomomitsu (14th century) to the Edo-period smiths Nagasone Kotetsu and Kiyomaro. The blades by these and other masters, cherished as much for their beauty as for their cutting efficiency, were equipped with elaborate hilts and scabbards prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and fine materials such as silk, rayskin, gold, lacquer, and certain alloys unique to Japan. Japanese armor is also fully surveyed, from the rarest iron armor of the Kofun period (5th century) to the inventive ceremonial helmets made toward the end of the age of the samurai." --Book Jacket. |
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Common terms and phrases
17th century armor Ashikaga bakufu Bizen black-lacquered blade century Iron century Steel century Wood Chinese chōji chokutō clan copper cuirass curvature curved daimyo daishō decorated depicted dō-maru Edo period Emperor example forging gold Gotō gunome gusoku hamon tempering pattern Heian period helmet bowl Hideyoshi hilt Hon'ami Important Cultural Property inlay Inscribed on obverse insignia iro-e Japan Japanese sword Kamakura period katana known Kofun period kōgai kozuka kusazuri Kyōto lacing lacquer leather maker maki-e Masamune menuki metal military Momoyama period motifs Muromachi period Nanbokuchō period Nara National Treasure Nobunaga obverse of tang odoshi Osafune Ōsaka Owari pieces province present-day samurai scabbard shakudō shoulder guards shrine silk silver smiths style sword fittings swordsmiths tachi tachi mounting tachi slung sword tantō Tokugawa Art Museum Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa shogun Tokyo National Museum Toyotomi tsuba tsuba sword guard uchigatana wakizashi Yamato yoroi 国宝 重要文化財