Samurai Sunday

On Sunday I attended a lecture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art by Luke S. Roberts from the University of California Santa Barbara who talked about Samurai during the Edo Period in Japan, about 1600 to 1850.  This was a period of peace through the control of a military aristocracy and effective governors.  This was called the Tokugawa shogunate which was the last feudal Japanese military government between 1603 and 1868 led by members of the Tokugawa clan.  After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, central authority was take to Tokugawa leyasau.  The family Shogun ruled in Edo, now Tokyo.  There were about 250 Daimyo lords who controlled provinces under the Shogun.  Each hired their Samurai and took pride in their uniforms and weapons.  They would show them at their homes on New Years.  Each Samurai wore two swords, one long and one short.

Dr. Roberts has written about an 18th century samurai of Tosa domain named Mori Yoshiki who documented his life in his diaries and those of his family and friends.

Following the lecture, I visited the Art of the Samurai exhibit in the Japanese Pavilion.  Here is a bit of what I saw:

"The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in a Samurai Role," by Katsukawa Shunko, Japan, 1743-1812, Color woodblock print.

"Hakamadare Yasusuke and Kidomaru Fighting with Majic," 1887 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Japan, 1839-1892, Diptych, color woodblock prints.

"Gosho Gorozo Battling a Shadow," 1866 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, color woodblock print.

"Earth:  Akashi Gidayu Races to Kyoto during the Battle of Amagasaki," 1867, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, T;ryptych, color woodblock prints,

"Samurai Armor of the Gusoku Type," Japan, 18th century.

"Minamoto no Ushiwakamaru Battling with the Brigand Kumasaki Chohan," 1883, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, color woodblock print.

Zenjo School, Tachi (Long Sword with Ege Slung Downwards) with Mounting, Blade 16th century; Mounting 19th century.

Samurai-Class Man's Winter Formal Surcoat (Jinbaori), Japan Edo period.

Samurai-Class Man's Surcoat (Jinbaori), Japan Edo period (1615-1868)

Samurai-Class Man's Formal Inner Robes (buke noshime kosode), Japan, late Edo period.

Samurai-Class Woman's Winter Formal Outer Robe (uchikake) with Cherry Blossoms, Chrysanthemums, Hollyhock Leaves, Peonies, Wisteria and Stylized Cloud Pattern, Japan, late Edo period (early 19t century).