Shadows of the Samurai:
Japanese Warrior Traditions

Samurai culture and the code of conduct known as bushido, have exerted a powerful hold on the imaginations of people in the East and the West. The samurai were the military elite of Japanese society from the eighth century through the 1860s. The clever design and exquisite craftsmanship of their helmets and armor were inspired by a love of nature, and were eagerly collected by Westerners for display in private homes and museums. More than professional warriors, the samurai cultivated a variety of aesthetic pursuits, ranging from theater and art to poetry and the tea ceremony. Ceremonial armor, swords, and other weapons - all part of the Fleming Museum collections - are shown along with theater masks, woodblock prints, and other objects reflecting samurai traditions.

Curated by Margaret Tamulonis, Manager of Collections and Exhibitions, with Erik Esselstrom, Associate Professor of History, University of Vermont.