Opens June 12th Asian Art Museum San Francisco The samurai culture and code of conduct, bushido, have long captivated the imaginations and aspirations of young and old in the Western world. More than just fierce warriors, Japanese samurai of the highest rank were also visionaries who strove to master artistic, cultural, and spiritual pursuits. Lords of the Samurai takes an intimate look at the daimyo, or provincial lords of the warrior class in feudal Japan. The Hosokawa clan, powerful military nobles with a 600-year-old lineage, embodied this duality of fierce warrior and refined gentleman. The exhibition features more than 160 works from the Hosokawa family collection housed in the Eisei-Bunko Museum in Tokyo, the Kumamoto Castle, and the Kumamoto Municipal Museum in Kyushu. Objects on view will include suits of armor, armaments (including swords and guns), formal attire, calligraphy, paintings, teaware, lacquerware, masks, and musical instruments. The Asian Art Museum is the exclusive U.S. venue for this exhibition.
Excellent. It's been a long time since they hosted the "Spectacular War Helmets of Feudal Japan" show in the previous location. That was a mind-blower, as I'm sure this exhibit will be too. Thanks for the heads-up, K.
I'll be meeting friends on Thursday night for the exhibit. Let me know if anyone else can make it. It is also Matcha night so the museum will have a little party to celebrate the opening of the exhibit. I'm hoping not to drink too much sake but if my friend goes, that may change since he doesn't really drink. I'll still be up for seeing it over the weekend. Perhaps meet at S7 (to buy Le Merde toy), grab lunch, then head down for a whole day of Japanese culture.
I think I'm in for Thursday night Bert...I'll let you know! I haven't done the Matcha night thing yet and would love to check it out!
Waaah! I'm missing all of the fun! Stuck at work with co-workers, trying to meet a deadline. Hope everyone has fun. If you have pics (esp. of the Matcha ceremony), please post!
Bah! I couldn't make it tonight either. ...hope you had fun Bert! Last time I went they wouldn't let me take my camera in.
I got there with a little less than an hour before closing. I was hoping for more armor and weapons and was kind of baffled by the way some of the swords were displayed. I was always told that the curve of the blade should point up. Anyway, it was a little crowded so I skipped some of the paintings and yes...no cameras allowed. You would need to sneak it in and snap pics while the guards aren't looking.
