Samurai at Art Gallery of South Australia

 

Samurai armour, with breastplate depicting Fudō-myōō and inscribed 'A Fortuitous Day, the 8th month of the 12th year of Genroku (1699), Myochin Munesuke', c.1699. Photo: Saul Steed

 
 

Samurai

July 24, 2020 — March 28, 2021

 

For Japan’s warriors, prowess on the battlefield was matched by an acute aesthetic sensibility. Samurai presents the art and ethos of this warrior culture. From the austerity of lacquer and tea bowls to the opulence of golden screens and armour, this exhibition demonstrates how the ethos and tastes of the Samurai (a military elite whose name means ‘one who serves’) permeated every aspect of Japanese art and culture from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries.

 
 

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Associate curator of Asian art, Russell Kelty previews Samurai.

 
 
 
 

Click the image below to watch the trailer for the Samurai exhibition.

 
 
 

Explore the publication.

 
 
 
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Exhibition Highlights

 

Japan, Fudõ Myõõ, 14th-15th century.

Samurai armour, with breastplate depicting Fudō-myōō and inscribed 'A Fortuitous Day, the 8th month of the 12th year of Genroku (1699), Myochin Munesuke', c.1699.

Samurai armour, with breastplate depicting Fudō-myōō and inscribed 'A Fortuitous Day, the 8th month of the 12th year of Genroku (1699), Myochin Munesuke', c.1699.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Japan, 1798 - 1861, Hatsuhana in prayer under the Gongen waterfall at Hakone, from the series Stories of wise women and faithful wives (Kenjo Reppuden), c.1841-2, Edo (Tokyo), woodblock print, ink and colour on paper, 35.8 x 25.5 cm (image, oban), 36.5 x 25.5 cm (sheet); Gift of Brian and Barbara Crisp in memory of their son Andrew 2003, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Sasai Kyuzo Masayasu, c.1847-50.

Japan, Battle scenes from the Tale of Heike (Heike Monogatari), early 18th century, Japan, pair of six-panel screens, colour and gold on paper, 155.0 x 357.0 cm; Gift of Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2003, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Jakugen, Japan, born active early 18th century, Zao Gongen, 1704, Edo (Tokyo), wood, inlaid glass, traces of colour, 136.0 x 70.8 x 50.5 cm; Gift of Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2007, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Japan, Noh costume featuring phoenix and cloud design, 18th century.

Japan, Kyoto, No mask, Washibana akujo, 1690-1710.

Japan, No costume, with autumn grasses design, 1910-20.

 
News 6, Exhibitions 1Editorial TeamArt of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold