Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press | Checklist (PDF)
The striking duality of deadly weaponry forged with artistic beauty is on full display in this exhibition. With approximately 63 works by more than 30 master craftsmen from the 13th to 20th centuries, Lethal Beauty features full suits of armor, helmets, warrior hats, face masks, long and short swords, daggers, rifles, and more.
Tales of the samurai have enchanted people since the 12th century, and continue to delight and captivate audiences today. The oldest sword in the exhibition dates from the 13th century but is so finely crafted it could appear new. The exhibition also showcases a pair of 17th century folding screens by a Kano school artist, and a seven-piece set of 17th century sword fittings, both depicting battle scenes from the famous Tale of the Heike. The Tale of the Heike is one of the greatest warrior epics in Japanese literature and marks the dawn of samurai honor, valor, and fortitude.
The exhibition is accompanied by a color-illustrated catalogue and curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, the director and chief curator of the Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture.
Specifications:
| Number of Works: | Approximately 63 works, including full suits of armor, helmets, warrior hats, face masks, long and short swords, sword fittings, sword guards, daggers and sheaths, rifles, a short spear, an equestrian parade mask, gunpowder cases and ammunition containers |
| Curator: | Dr. Andreas Marks, Director and Chief Curator of the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture |
| Organized by: | The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture |
| Approximate size: | 2,500 square feet |
| Security: | High security |
| Fee: | $48,000 plus courier costs and outgoing shipping |
| Shipping: | IA&A makes all arrangements; exhibitors pay outgoing shipping within contiguous US |
| Booking Time: | 12 weeks |
| Tour: | January 2013 - January 2015 |
| Publication: | Exhibition catalogue |
| Contact: | Margalit Monroe |
Tour Schedule:
Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH
February 2, 2013 - May 5, 2013
June 5, 2013 - August 25, 2013
September 28, 2013 - January 5, 2014
March 9, 2014 - June 1, 2014
June 28, 2014 - September 20, 2014
October 12, 2014 - January 4, 2015
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press
