Open daily. Always free.

ExhibitionSamurai: The Way of the Warrior

Apr 21–Jul 23, 2017

Helmet headdress

Exhibition Overview

Samurai: The Way of the Warrior presents a selection of more than ninety objects from one of the most important collections of Japanese arms and armor outside of Japan. The exhibition includes armor, lacquered objects, helmets, swords, sword guards, saddles, stirrups, arrows, quivers, and bows from the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy.

The styles and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans on view manifest the moral, cultural, and aesthetic codes of the military class. Each object reflects the identity, taste, and status of individual owners, and together they provide an unusual perspective on one of the great antiquarian assemblages of nineteenth century Europe.

IMAGE: Haruta School (Japanese) Helmet, first half of the 17th century, steel, gilded copper, lacquer, gold, wood, silk, leather, Museo Stibbert, Firenze

Programming & Financial Support

This exhibition is organized by Contemporanea Progetti SRL with the Museo Stibbert, Florence, Italy.

This exhibition was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional generous support provided by the Kikkoman Foods Foundation, Inc.