Samurai

We were trying to get in to see the Samurai at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as inspiration for Himself before he took his fourth degree black belt test last month, but the timing didn't work out. We finally got our chance yesterday.

The exhibit is stunning with an impressive collection of armour and arms. Elaborately embroidered silk and silver inlays on some of the armour looked more like an haute couture collection than items used in warfare.

I was also struck by the similarity to European Medieval armour. The oni helmet made me think of Vikings. Oni are demons though a protective spirit to one who wears the image. Along one wall was a huge scroll depicting a 13th. century battle Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace. It's story was remarkably simliar to the Bayeaux Tapestry which details William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD. Another suit of armour looked more like a Kachina, a spirit being from the Native American cultures of the Southwest.

The exhibit is on display until 4. August 2013. If you can't make it to Boston to see the exhibit in person, click on the link above to take a virtual tour.