Asia
ASIA (DISPLAY CASE 31 - 32)
THE SAMURAI
Noble warrior
In ancient Japan, the samurai, lord of the land and head of the warriors, in wartime wore heavy yet flexible armor that allowed for maximum freedom of movement. The cuirass (do) was made of lacquered iron plates that were attached to one another by silk cords or leather laces. The particular colors used for the cords made it possible to immediately identify the samurai’s clan. At the waist started an armored skirt (kusazuri), under which, on top of the trousers, the haidate, a sort of apron reinforced with small plates and iron mail, was worn. Kneepads, greaves and boots (missing in the example on display) completed the armor. On his head the samurai wore a lacquered helmet equipped with a large neck guard, a protective mask and a bevor.
Samurai weaponry included a bow and arrows, spears, swords and daggers. In the Edo period (1600-1867), he was generally equipped with two swords called daisho (large and small). The longest (katana) was worn tucked into the belt with the cutting edge turned upwards; it measured 2 shaku, or about 60 cm., had a single edge and was slightly curved.
1. Do maru type Samurai armor
Japan
18th – 19th century
2. Candlestick depicting a heron on a tortoise
Burnished bronze
Produced in Japan for exportation to the West, 19th century
DISPLAY CASE 32
3. Indian Manuscripts
Palm leaves
India, 19th century
Donated by Piva, 1875
4. Containers with polychrome decorations
Woven wood and plant fibers with red lacquer coating
Myanmar (Burma), 19th century
Acquisition 1890
5. Container
Wood with nashiji lacquer
Japan, 19th century
Acquisition 1888
6. Large porcelain vases
Satzuma production
Japanese production of satzuma porcelain, made expressly for the western market,
involved very abundant decoration on the base and the neck,
the use of polychrome enamels and a lot of gold.
Scenes depicting episodes connected to Buddhism, the insides of houses,
birds and flowers were commonly inscribed into the body.
Japan, 19th century
Gandini donation, 1904
7. Porcelain vase
Satzuma production
Japan, 19th century
8. Mirror
With depiction of a heron in flight, cherry blossoms,
bamboo, a pine tree and a tortoise
Japan, 19th century
Acquisition 1888
9. Mirror
With depiction of chrysanthemums and butterfly
Japan, 19th century
Acquisition 1889
10. Statue depicting skeletal Rakan
Bronze
Japan, 19th century
11. Statue depicting Fukurokuju, one of the seven gods of happiness
Bronze
Japan, 19th century
12. White porcelain vases
With polychrome enameled decorations
Japan, 19th century
Acquistion 1884-1885
13. Ivory netsuke and opime
They served as clips for cords from which small containers for tobacco or medicine were hung
Japan, 19th century
Acquisition 1888