“Samurai! Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection” features the extraordinary artistry of the armor used by samurai—the military elite led by the shoguns, or warlords, of Japan from the 12th through 19th centuries. The exhibition illustrates the evolution of the distinctive appearance and equipment of the samurai warrior through the centuries and examines the history of these famed warriors.

The exhibition features more than 140 objects from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller collection, including armored horses carrying combat-ready samurai in full regalia. Highlights include helmets of lacquered metal adorned with emblems often inspired by nature—which signaled the status of the wearer, differentiated samurai from each other, and also frightened the enemy on the battlefield—and full suits of exquisitely crafted armor, weapons, horse armor, and accoutrements used for both battle and ceremonies.

 

Above: Mogamidō tōsei gusoku armor (detail)
Signed: Hōrai Kunichika (helmet); Myōchin Muneaki (mask)
Muromachi period, ca. 1530 (helmet); Edo period, 17th-18th century (suit of armor)
Iron, lacquer, shakudō, gold, silver, copper, bronze, silk, leather
Photograph by Brad Flowers © The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas