SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller

March 6, 2025 Ambassador Circle Opening
March 7, 2025 Member Opening
March 8-9, 2025 Member Weekend

Coming from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller unveils the culture, lifestyle, and art of the samurai warrior in Japanese society.  The exhibition spans almost nine centuries of Samurai armor, from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Edo period (1603-1868), and includes nearly 80 objects – full suits, helmets, weaponry, and full horse armor – all used for both combat and ceremonial purposes.

Samurai belonged to the intellectual elite of Japanese society and practiced creative disciplines that often contrasted with the violent nature of battle, such as calligraphy and poetry. Their armorers worked as masterful artists creating beautiful and delicate pieces, which distinguished the wearer, and were also capable of protecting the samurai in combat. Through tracing the evolution of armor from medieval to early modern Japan, this exhibition explores the artistic legacy of the samurai and offers a glimpse of samurai history spanning more than seven hundred years.

Image Credits: 
Armor of the Nimaitachidō Type detail
Attributed to Myōchin Yoshimichi, Helmet, c. 1400 (Muromachi period). Attributed to Myōchin Munenori, Armor, 18th century (mid-Edo period). Iron, gold and copper alloy (shakudō), lacing, silver, wood, gold, brocade, fur, bronze, brass, and leather, 65 × 23 × 35″. ©️ The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photo: Brad Flower

Signed by Myōchin Ki no Munenaga, Full-face mask (Sōmen), 1710 (Edo period). Iron, 9 × 7 1/2 ×5”.©️ The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photo: Brad Flowers

Signed by Unkai Mitsuhisa, Helmet (Kaen kabuto) representing the flaming jewel (hōju no tama), c.1630 (early Edo period). Iron, lacquer, lacing, gold, and bronze,19½ × 16 ×16”. ©️ The Ann & GabrielBarbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas. Photo: Brad Flowers