Mysteries of samurai revealed at Frazier History Museum
Actor William Shatner (left) and his wife Elizabeth were in Louisville on Tuesday to unveil a bronze sculpture that he donated to the Frazier History Museum. The sculpture, by Kentucky artist Douwe Blumberg (right), depicts a samurai warrior on horseback. The sculpture is a copy of one that Shatner owns. Image courtesy Frazier History Museum.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Samurai were as artistic and philosophical as they were dangerous. The epic tale of the one of the greatest warrior cultures in history, and how it shaped an entire nation, is the theme of an extraordinary new exhibition that opened May 12 at the Frazier History Museum.
The beauty, artistry and richness of this ancient culture are explored through “Samurai,” a 3,800-square-foot exhibition that immerses visitors in the mysterious, and often misunderstood, world of this vanished Japanese noble class.
Produced by the Frazier History Museum in partnership with the Kokusai Tosogu Kai (KTK), “Samurai” presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the world’s finest artifacts relating to the legacy left by this great warrior culture, including over 200 objects—from armor and swords to rare textiles, artwork and religious items. Shown exclusively at the Frazier, this original exhibition will feature national treasure-level artifacts from collections in Japan and around the world.
Visitors will see a diverse collection of artifacts spanning 1,500 years—including kimonos, wood block prints, theater masks, religious items and tea ceremony objects—from a culture that’s often portrayed in movies and TV, but that few people truly understand.
Centuries-old armor made of iron, silk and gilded metal showcase how the samurai used their artistry to convey ferocity and instill fear. Personal items, such as painted scrolls and screens, reveal a more intimate side of samurai culture and help expose the role of women in samurai society.
In addition to authentic historical objects, “Samurai” explores the real stories behind the iconic samurai, ninjas and geisha that are so prevalently portrayed in pop culture.
On top of amassing one of the most impressive collections of samurai-related objects ever on display in the U.S., most of which has never been seen by the public, the Frazier Museum’s “Samurai” is significant because it’s a rare introduction to a driving force of Japanese history.
“What we think of as Japanese culture today is actually very much driven by what was the samurai way of life,” said Frazier Museum director Madeleine Burnside. “Samurai values influenced fashion, theater, architecture and all aspects of Japanese culture, helping form the very foundation of the Japanese society that we know today.”
“Samurai,” which is included in regular museum admission, runs through Sept. 30.
Visit www.FrazierMuseum.org or call (502) 753-5663 for details.
ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE
Actor William Shatner (left) and his wife Elizabeth were in Louisville on Tuesday to unveil a bronze sculpture that he donated to the Frazier History Museum. The sculpture, by Kentucky artist Douwe Blumberg (right), depicts a samurai warrior on horseback. The sculpture is a copy of one that Shatner owns. Image courtesy Fazier History Museum.
