Samurai Exhibit at Frazier in Louisville, Kentucky

[Ron STL]

Hi all -

 

Mid-May, the long-awaited opening of the Samurai Exhibit took place in mid-America Louisville, Kentucky. The JSS/US and NCJSC newsletters have had adverts for this event. I've written a several page pictorial review of the exhibits opening which should be included in both newsletters, soon. The exhibit, which will run through September, is wonderful. It is an exhibit of swords, tosogu and armor but also of cultural items from the Samurai era. There are five rooms of items exhibited with the fifth room being named the "Treasure Room" which has what has been called "the best of the best." A wonderful Masamune, Yoshihiro, Awataguchi Hisakuni, a signed Heian sword that is as fresh as if it was made yesterday. The museum has a catalogue which is highly illustrated and available from the Frazier. The Kokusai Tosogu Kai (KTK)also has many of these items in their 2012 convention catalogue. Only 300 of these catalogues were printed, but they may be found for sale at future sword shows.

 

I hope that anyone who is within travel of the Frazier Museum can take the time to see and study this wonderful exhibition of Samurai treasures. I would be happy to email a copy of my four-page article to anyone interested in receiving it. Just ask. We so seldom have opportunities like this here in the USA, so try to see it. It's time well spent!

swords@usroute66.net

 

Ron H.

[estcrh]

Thanks for the info, do you know if photography is allowed in the exhibit?

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Eric,

I think it was OK but not flash. A call to the Frazier will get you the answer for sure.

Grey

[Justin Grant]

Thanks for the info, do you know if photography is allowed in the exhibit?

 

Eric

 

If you make the trek up to Louisville, please let me know, I'll come down to Louisville and would love to meet you.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[Ron STL]

Just a reminder to those of you within reach of Louisville, Kentucky. The Samurai exhibit at the Frazier History Museum will soon enter its final month and will close the end of Septermber. While attendance has reportedly been good, I haven't really heard much from the "sword world" of collectors. What a shame it would be to be within reach of the exhibit and then neglect to see the treasures exhibited. As I said...just a reminder in case this exhibit slipped your mind. Life does get busy at times.

Ron STL

[b.hennick]

I got back early this morning from a trip to the Frazier Museum in Louisville. WOW!

It is a wonderful exhibit. The swords were amazing - Masamune, Go Yoshiro, Hizakuni, Tadayoshi ...

The fittings amazing - Umetade tsuba, Musashi tsuba and on and on. The kabuto and armour also great.

The trip to Louisville was about 1,000 miles - worth the drive.

The rest of the musesum is also very good. When I download my photos I will post a link to my Picassa site.

[b.hennick]

Here is the link to my photos on the Frazier Museum Samurai exhibit.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/b.hennick/ ... czj4vOZwgE

 

Link corrected! It wsorks fine now.

[Brian]

Wow! Heck of an exhibition, some amazing stuff there. I need to get some art society to hire me to travel and review this stuff overseas! :lol:

 

Brian

[Brian Ayres]

Barry,

 

WOW!!! I just looked at all 355 pictures you shared. Fantastic! $490 round trip is seriously being considered.....

 

Thank you for taking the time to share. :D

[Ed]

Barry,

Great photos, thanks for sharing them.

[Jean]

Thanks a lot Barry

[b.hennick]

The best way to learn is by handling great things. Second best is seeing great things up close...Most of you probably have not seen or handled a Masamune or a Go Yoshihiro or a Kunihisa. I have had all in hand. You have to spend time and money to get to see great things. The armour and kodogu are all from fine collections. The exhibit closes at the end of September. I used Hotwire to book the Galt Hotel (4 stars downtown Louisville - $77 + taxes and parking) It is about 4 blocks to the Museum.

[Pete Klein]

Thanks for the great pics Barry and also for this comment,

You have to spend time and money to get to see great things.

I recently read some comments about how on-line had somehow superceded live evaluation and that the cost of going to shows was not practical. You put it in a nutshell. The reality is that you must study this field in hand or at least as close as possible with experienced guidance or you will never learn anything in depth. Thanks again!

[b.hennick]

Pete I am a sword guy at heart but that Umetada tsuba is AMAZING. That one showcase was phenomenal. It alone was worth the trip. Next up Montreal and Quebec city for great armour (armor).

[Jussi Ekholm]

Thanks for sharing this Barry, so many fine pictures too see.

[estcrh]

Thanks Barry great pictures and its nice that you added the descriptions that the museum provided for the items but.......... Ninja jacket???.........museums are still in the dark ages.

[b.hennick]

Most of the descriptions were provided by KTK members. Obviously the "ninja jacket" was not. There was at least one suit of armour that belonged to the museum. The O yoroi at the entrance is a reproduction made by an excelllent artisan. The set up was way above average. I liked that the put things into a historical context and had other items in addition to swords, armour and kodogu.

[estcrh]

Most of the descriptions were provided by KTK members. Obviously the "ninja jacket" was not. There was at least one suit of armour that belonged to the museum. The O yoroi at the entrance is a reproduction made by an excelllent artisan. The set up was way above average. I liked that the put things into a historical context and had other items in addition to swords, armour and kodogu.

I applaud that they added things such as the pillow and hand warmer etc, I would like to see museums do more of that when doing so called "samurai" exhibits.

[drbvac]

Missed this earlier and I also want to publicly thank Barry for the pictures - its neat in the descriptions the provenance for some of the articles and I don't know if they are part of their permanent collection or were brought together for this particular exhibit?

 

Saw one from the "collection of Henry Wilson" and can't be a whole lot of Nihonto collectors with that handle eh Henry @@

[b.hennick]

The exhibit ends September 30 2012. Most of the items are the property of private collectors who are members of the KTK. There are only a few items owned by the Frazier Museum. The lighting is generally good. Although I brought a pocket light which I used a lot.

[Henry Wilson]

I would also like to thank Barry for the excellent photos as he has taken the time to basically photo the whole exhibition! I am unfortunately unable to attend as I live in Tokyo and with work etc it is not possible for me to get away. However because of Barry's pictures my wife and I can enjoy the exhibition from the comfort of our own computer. Many thanks again Barry.

 

Saw one from the "collection of Henry Wilson" and can't be a whole lot of Nihonto collectors with that handle eh Henry @@

 

Yes, Dr. Barrett that is in fact me . I was only able to submit one piece and add in a very small way to this huge and excellent collection, and I humbled that something in my possession was chosen.

 

On a sadder note I have recently been informed that Owsley Brown Frazier, chairman and founder of the Frazier Museum passed away on August 17, 2012. He was a great supporter of the KTK and because of this support has assisted in making the KTK the excellent gathering of Tosogu and Nihonto enthusiast that it is.

 

Finally, please if you can, bring the family and get down to Frazier and see the show. There is a good chance there will not be another like it outside Japan for a long time.

 

Best regards

[myochin]

Many thanks Barry, great pictures !

Does anyone have a good, side-view, picture of the Hôrai menpô (p52 of the catalogue) ?

 

Thanks.

Paul.

[SwordGuyJoe]

OH NO!!! I am traveling to Louisville this week for work and was excited to see this exhibit but it ends today.... Just my luck.