Sneak Peek At…. Samurai: The Warrior Transformed
Our next exhibit centers around the Samurai and will open in mid-March!
In the Western imagination, “samurai” often conjures up warriors, swords, and armor. Rarely do the words “diplomat” and “cultural ambassador” enter the conversation. However these roles are equally important in understanding the legacy of the samurai as a cultural symbol.
In a uniquely Washington look at the storied Japanese warriors, this exhibition presents the transformation of the samurai. They went from being a feudal military class dominating Japanese history from 1185–1867 to serving as a vehicle for building bridges with the West.
Consider the use of the warrior as a diplomatic tool as you examine swords presented to President Ulysses Grant and elaborate suits of armor given to Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt. Illustrations and photographs further chart the role samurai played in relations between the United States and Japan from their first visit in 1860 through the 1930s.
A companion photography gallery displays images by writer, photographer, and geographer Eliza R. Scidmore who made many visits to Japan beginning 1885. The first woman on the National Geographic Board, she played an instrumental role in the gift of the cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington. The iconic trees are celebrating their 100th anniversary since they were planted along the banks of the Potomac and around the Tidal Basin in 1912. Featuring portraits, pearl diving, and tea ceremonies, her hand-tinted photographs reflect a fascination with Japanese people and culture.