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Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156–1868
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Works of art made of lacquer, paper, and textile are especially sensitive to damage from light and other elements. For this reason, fifty-seven of the more than two hundred works in the exhibition will be taken off view and replaced with similar examples during the first week of December. The list of selected highlights below includes the date range that each work will be on view.

Download the complete exhibition checklist (PDF).
Haniwa (Terracotta Figurine) of a Standing Warrior
Kofun period, 6th century
Aikawa Archaeological Museum, Gunma Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–January 10
Yoroi Armor with Red-Leather Lacing
Heian period, 12th century
Okayama Prefectural Museum
National Treasure
On view October 21–November 1
Yoroi Armor with White Triangular-Pattern Lacing
Nanbokuchō period, 14th century
Kushibiki-hachimangū Shrine, Aomori Prefecture
National Treasure
On view December 8–January 10
Dō-Maru Armor with Dark Blue Lacing
Nanbokuchō period, 14th century
Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–November 29
Haramaki with Multicolored Lacing, Ridged Helmet, and Large Shoulder Guards
Muromachi period, 15th century
Sata-jinja Shrine, Shimane Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Dō-Maru Gusoku Armor with Black Lacing and Three-Branched Deerhorn Helmet
Momoyama period, late 16th century
Private collection
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–November 29
Honda Tadakatsu
Edo period, 17th century
Private collection
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–November 29
Nimai-Dō Gusoku Armor with Dark Blue and Red Lacing
Edo period, 18th century
Okazaki City Museum, Aichi Prefecture
On view October 21–November 29
Nimai-Dō Gosuko Armor of Sakakibara Yasumasa
Momoyama period, 17th century
Tokyo National Museum
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Umajirushi (Camp Standard) of the Yasumasa Family
Momoyama period, 17th century
Tokyo National Museum
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Sashimono (Personal Flag) of Sakakibara Yasumasa
Momoyama period, 17th century
Tokyo National Museum
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Sakakibara Yasumasa
Edo period, 17th century
Tokyo National Museum
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Arming Jacket
Momoyama period, 17th century
Tokyo National Museum
On view December 8–January 10
Eboshi-Shaped Kabuto (Helmet) with Maedate (Crest) in the Form of a Mantis
Edo period, 17th century
Private collection
On view October 21–November 29
Kabuto (Helmet) in the Form of a Pagoda
Edo period, 18th century
Kyoto National Museum
On view December 8–January 10
Kanehira
Blade for a Tachi (Slung Sword), known as "Ō-Kanehira" (Great Kanehira)
Heian period, 12th century
Tokyo National Museum
National Treasure
On view October 21–January 10
Nagamitsu
Blade for a Tachi (Slung Sword), known as "Dai Hannya Nagamitsu"
Kamakura period, 13th century
Tokyo National Museum
National Treasure
On view October 21–January 10
Yukimitsu
Blade for a Tantō (Dagger)
Kamakura period, 14th century
Tokyo National Museum
National Treasure
On view October 21–January 10
Kazaritachi Mounting with Nashiji Lacquer
Edo period, 17th century
The Tokugawa Art Museum, Aichi Prefecture
On view October 21–January 10
Cord-Bound Ito Maki No Tachi Mounting with Gold Nashiji Lacquer and Hollyhock Mon (Insignia) in Gold Maki-E
Edo period, 17th century
National Treasure
On view December 8–January 10
Yokoya Sōmin
Set of Menuki (Grip Fittings) and Kozuka (By-Knife Handle) with Ni-Ō (Buddhist Guardian Figures)
Edo period, 18th century
Kyoto National Museum
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–January 10
Tsuchiya Yasuchika
Tsuba (Sword Guard) with the Zen Monk Bukan
Edo period, 17th century
Kurokawa Institute for Ancient Cultures, Hyōgo Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–January 10
Velvet Jinbaori (Surcoat) with Mokkō and Paulownia Mon (Insignia)
Edo period, late 16th century
Ōsaka Castle Museum
On view October 21–November 29
Jinbaori (Surcoat) with Sacred Volcano Motif
Edo period, 17th century
Ōsaka Castle Museum
On view December 8–January 10
Kura (Saddle) with Blossoming Cherry Trees
Kamakura period, 13th century
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo
Important Cultural Property
On view October 21–November 29
Kura (Saddle) with Circular Motifs in Mother-Of-Pearl Inlay
Kamakura period, 13th century
Mitake-jinja Shrine, Tokyo
National Treasure
On view December 8–January 10
Asai Nagamasa
Momoyama period, 1589
Jimyoin Temple, Wakayama Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10
Oichi no Kata, Wife of Asai Nagamasa
Momoyama period, 16th century
Jimyoin Temple, Wakayama Prefecture
Important Cultural Property
On view December 8–January 10