The samurai, initially a warrior class (bushi) gaining power from the 1100s, evolved significantly. During a long period of peace starting in 1615, they transitioned from the battlefield to an elite social class, including women, who became leaders in government, scholarship and the arts. The exhibition reveals this complex reality, contrasting it with the later, invented tradition of bushido (the “way of the warrior”), which was harnessed for colonial expansion. Through historical artefacts like armour and luxury objects, alongside modern influences in fashion and gaming, the exhibition offers a candid look at the real men and women who shaped the enduring global legacy of the samurai. Discover the true story of the legendary Japanese samurai in this sweeping exhibition, moving beyond a millennium of myth.
The British Museum — “Samurai”
