The Japan Foundation held a talk on samurai and Japanese art during the Edo Period (17th -19th centuries). A professor, Dr. Hiroshi Kurushima, at the National Museum of Japanese History gave the presentation about what the Samurai were like during the Edo period.
The presentation started off with how we currently view the samurai and if it correctly reflects the culture during the Edo period. A few pieces of art from the Edo period were shown to us illustrating the samurai lifestyle and culture as warriors and in processions with swords, shields, and bows and arrows. The samurai, also known as bushi, were considered, at the time, on the same level as nobility and were allowed to have last names. Like nobility, the lower class was to bow to the samurai whenever they passed by. All these were depicted in the art pieces that the presenter showed us.
Edo Period Art
As the Edo period neared the end, the presenter then showed us the changes in the samurai culture. During the latter part of the period, we saw through the art pieces of the time that the samurai moved away from being warriors and into “office” work. The office work depicted still showed the shields and swords were near the desks used.
Samurai Office Work
Overall, it was an interesting talk, packed with lots of people. It felt a little long but could have been longer as it seemed the presenter had a lot more to say about the samurai culture during the Edo period.
