Beginning in February, take a look behind the sword to see the art, culture, faith, and focus of the Samurai at Lethal Beauty at the Currier Msuem of Art in Manchester, NH.
(TRAVPR.COM) USA - January 31st, 2013 - Manchester, NH – Experience the mystery of the Samurai, a warrior class whose ancient code of conduct still guides contemporary Japanese culture and instructs modern martial arts. Weaponry, the most celebrated symbol of the Samurai, is noted for its duality: waging war/maintaining peace; instruments of death/objects of beauty; inspiring craftsmen/intimidating opponents. Beginning in February, take a look behind the sword to see the art, culture, faith, and focus of the Samurai at Lethal Beauty at the Currier Msuem of Art in Manchester, NH.
The Samurai’s primary weapon, the mythic Katana or long sword, today is prized by museums and collectors. The weapon, whose origins date to at least the 12th century, was created by master craftsmen who had undergone rigorous apprenticeships involving years of study followed by a lifetime of dedication and devotion to achieving perfection. A single Katana took up to a year to make, first starting with a master forger, then formed into a sword by a master metal smith and finally off to the polisher. The reverent creation of the sword and its mystical connection to the owner gave rise to the belief that the Katana embodied the very soul of the Samurai.
Among the several Katana in the exhibition are full suites of armor, matchlock rifles, short swords and an imposing pair of six-panel painted screens depicting an epic battle, the famous Tale of the Heike. The Tale of the Heike is one of the greatest warrior stories in Japanese literature and marks the dawn of samurai honor, valor and fortitude.
Beginning February 2, 2013 and on view through May 5, the Currier Museum exhibition, curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, the director and chief curator of the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, Hanford, California will house over 60 works 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.
The Currier’s presentation of Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor is supported by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc., the Botnick Family Foundation/E&R Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and Northeast Delta Dental. The tour is organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.
The Currier Museum of Art is located at 150 Ash Street, Manchester, NH. Open every day except Tuesday. More information: www.currier.org or call 603.669.6144 x108.
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