Samurai
It was a beautifully designed show and covered from their origins in medieval Japan's civil wars through to the 19th century when they had become the elite, cultured ruling class. It also looked at their myths and legacy.
My only moan is, that as ever at the British Museum, the labels were quite long and wordy creating log jams partly because they were set low so if anyone leaned over to look at an object they blocked them. Add to that the fact that quite often they were a distance from the item they were discussing so you had to play a game to match the object to the label.
There were some beautiful objects and plentiful use of intricate painted scrolls and prints. I think my favourite object was this charming small dish dated 1700-50 which I felt could be a contemporary shop. I also loved a book described as an I-Spy book for processions to enable people to identify the different clans as they passed. I'm sure I would have bought one.
I was particularly interested in a section on two diplomatic embassies to Rome one in 1582 and another in 1615. I loved this portrait of Ito Mancio by Tintoretto, a colliding of worlds. Also the last section on the legacy of the Samurai which included a Darth Vada costume and a football poster!
Closed 4 May 2026
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