Bugu: The Spirit of the Samurai Warrior, Sept. 15 – Nov. 10, 2007

 

Cultural News, October 2007

 

 

Armor of Mogamido haramaki type with helmet of suji-kauto style (Courtesy of Japan Foundation)

 

 

Strange helmet (kawari kabuto): Ichi-no-tani canyon. Reproduction of the helmet at the time of the Genpei War in 12th century. (Courtesy of Japan Foundation)

 

      The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles and the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, present “Bugu: The Spirit of the Samurai Warrior” at the JACCC’s Doizaki Gallery in Little Tokyo from September 15 through November 10. Admission free.

 

    Originally this exhibition was produced and titled as “The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan’s Martial Arts” by the Japan Foundation against a background of strong overseas interest in Japan’s martial-arts culture.

 

    In this exhibition, the Japan Foundation seeks the understanding of viewers about the brief history of Japanese martial arts – from battlefield combat techniques (bujutsu) to popular sports or physical exercise tempering body and spirit (budo).

 

    This exhibition consists of two parts: in the first part, reproduction/original of historical weapons such as bows and arrows, suits of armor, helmets, and so on are shown, and the development and changes of Japanese martial arts from 8th century to 19th century are explained.

 

     Many of ancient types of armor and weapons have not survived to the present or are too fragile for international transport. That is why the Japan Foundation decided to include reproductions, which would give the appearance of suits of armor and helmets at the time of original production even more vividly.

 

    The second part deals with the reorganizations of bujutsu to budo in the 19th and 20th centuries, and how spirit of martial arts is still inherent in the daily life of Japanese people today. Nine budo associations are also introduced and the clothes and implements such as bamboo swords, protectors, bows and arrows, and so on, which are used by players and students in the present day, are also to be seen.

 

    The exhibition will travel to Toronto, Canada after Los Angeles.