Overview of the exhibition
Kabuto helmets that are decorated with unusual objects or that have fantastically shaped bowls are collectively called kawari kabuto, literally meaning “strange helmets.” With a variety of extraordinary designs, these kabuto helmets look attractive and appealing even today. Meanwhile, exterior decorations of Japanese swords, especially metal fittings such as sword guards, became increasingly lavish and exquisite from the Warring States period (from the late fifteenth to the late sixteenth century) to the Edo period (from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century), because these decorations were designed to demonstrate the status of the owner. Called “Samurai Art,” the superb craftsmanship and the inspiring designs of these sword decorations enjoy great popularity internationally.
This exhibition showcases about 250 items, including kawari kabuto helmets which, with their extreme shapes, reflect the mood of intense civil warfare, and which were created during peaceful times for the sake of design, as well as sword decorations of varying designs, which are pretty small in size but have a grandeur of their own. The exhibition also features a private collection of sword decorations possessed by the late Suenaga Masao, Professor Emeritus of Kansai University and a leading authority on archaeology. The Suenaga collection is being shown to the public for the first time.
Special Exhibition
The Art of “Kabuto”&“Sword accessories” |
| Organizer |
Osaka Museum of History, Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd. |
| Supporting organizations |
Sankei Sports, Yukan Fuji, Sankei Living Shimbun Inc., Kansai |
| Telecasting Corporation |
Osaka Broadcasting Corporation |
| Exhibition period |
Saturday November 2 to Sunday December 8,2013 |
| Closed |
Tuesday (If Tuesday is a National Holiday, Closed Wednesday),
28 December - 4 January |
| Hours |
9:30-17:00 (Fridays 9:30-20:00) *Please Enter 30 Minutes Prior To Closing |
| Exhibition space |
6th floor, special exhibition room |
| Admission fee |
|
Special exhibition only |
Advance ticket |
Tickets on the day, which include the permanent exhibition |
| Adults |
JPY 1000 (900) |
JPY 800 |
JPY 1,500(1,440) |
High school /
university students |
JPY 700 (630) |
JPY 500 |
JPY 1,030(990) |
* The prices in parenthesis show the discount fees for groups of 20 individuals or more.
* Admission is free for junior high school students or younger individuals, as well as individuals who have disability certificates, etc., (also including one caregiver).
*Advance tickets can be purchased at the Osaka Museum of History, or through Ticket PIA (P-code: 765-784), Lawson Ticket (L-code: 58524) and e+ for a limited period from July 3 (Wed.), 2013 to one working day preceding the first day of the exhibition. (* Paper tickets are sold at the museum, while electronic tickets are offered through the above agencies. Please note that advance tickets are not refundable.)
|
| Number of items exhibited |
about 250 |
| Structure of the exhibition |
Prologue
1) Majesty and unusualness: Warlords and unusual helmets; Sword decorations of the Warring States period
2) From the Momoyama period to the Edo period: Armor as decoration; The world of metal craftsmen retained by powerful lords
3) Iron craftworks: Design of embossed iron helmets; Development of iron sword guards with openwork design
4) Maturity of craftsmanship and pursuit of realism: Power of the design of kawari kabuto helmets; Metal carvings of various types; Beauty of lacquered scabbards
Epilogue
<Special exhibits> Suenaga Masao’s collection of sword decorations (shown to the public for the first time) |
