Studying the artifacts up close offered a chance to see how these suits of armor were made and used. Following is a pictorial of the armor on display and the artifacts that caught my eye. When I visited Florence, this museum was on my list of places to visit. Unfortunately, it was bit out of the city and the entrance fee was about 150 Euro. Next time, The Stibbert is definitely on my list.
Some excellent pictures Jon and fascinating look at some of the Samurai artifacts...I am particularly impressed by the horses head armour, although I doubt the horses would share my enthusiasm!
ReplyDelete150 euros entrance fee...wow, I don't think I would ever consider paying anything like that for any museum!
Wouldn't it be fun seeing a horse wearing that armor?
DeleteTo be fair on pricing, I think the 150 Euro was for a guided tour. When we were in Florence, only a guided tour was on offer.
Those artifacts are fantastic, though a price of 150 Euros for a visit is rather steep
ReplyDeleteThe armor is fantastic, indeed! The price of admission is steep but it is a private collection.
DeleteI too was surprised at the price of 150 Euros, even for a guided tour. I'd expect lunch included for that. A lovely exhibit with some interesting pieces.
ReplyDeleteLunch would be nice!
DeleteAwesome looking artefacts, though I did think the horse head stuff looked a bit cartoonish tbh. 150 euros…mmm…that might be the (special) price for wealthy Americans I reckon.
ReplyDeleteI agree re the horse armour...it's almost like a Fantasy miniature horse a la Warhammer etc...maybe it is supposed to make the horse look like a dragon?!
DeleteThe horse head armor does look cartoonish. The helmet in one of the other photos looks cartoonish as well. Special price for Americans who are not fluent in Italian perhaps!
DeleteGreat that you got to see this stuff close up. I’d expect a taxi ride there and back, as well as the tour, for €150!
ReplyDeleteChris
Always good to see the items up close for study. You can really see how the parts are pieced together.
DeleteA wonderful collection of armour Jon and nice they are touring it around 👍
ReplyDeleteSeeing even a portion of the collection is a treat. Very good that it is on tour.
DeleteBrilliant images - very lucky to have this tour near you. I do want to go to the Stibbert - although I had seen it is reference to Italian Wars / Renaissance displays and wasn't aware it went wider.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would be very interested in seeing Italian Wars artifacts if those are included at the Stibbert.
DeleteGreat that you got to see a part of the collection Jonathan. I really like it that museums send their collections around the world, giving all of us a chance to see them.
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the cost so checked the museum website and the 150 euros is for the guided tour and is the total for the entire party, not for each individual. So not so bad. 😂
I was pleased to see the announcement of this exhibit coming to town and have been looking forward to it. The museum is offering related period activities to go along with the exhibit. I recall some Kurosawa movies on deck. 150 euro tour for whole party may not be so bad. I will keep that in mind for next time.
DeletePatience pays off in the end as the armor came to you. It must of felt bad that it missed you in Florence.
ReplyDeleteJapan never does anything half assed. They’re like “if we need armor we’ll make it the coolest armor ever.”
Patience pays off for sure. If Muhammad can’t go to the mountain…we’ll, you know the rest. Japanese armor is the coolest in my book too!
DeleteLovely photos, the work on the armour and weapons is so intricate and real craftsmanship involved in it's making. Super reference post, one for bookmarking!
ReplyDeleteGlad you appreciated the photos. I did not take photos of some of the katanas with only the tang exposed before handle and hilt are added. Many of the tangs are engraved in Japanese Kanji translating as, “tested by cutting through two human bodies” or “tested by cutting through three human bodies.”
DeleteFascinating photos, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
You’re welcome!
DeleteSome fine specimens on display there.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThere are some similar artifacts in the Royal Armouries in Leeds, although difficult to see clearly due to the subdued lightning for conservation.
ReplyDeleteI confess I didn't enjoy Florence that much, far too touristy. This was capped by a visit to Mirleton to find it closed! At least I can say I stood outside the shop!
Neil
Florence is touristy, no doubt, but we had no trouble getting into all of the museums and palaces. I don’t think I knew that Mirliton was in Florence otherwise I would have been standing outside their door too!
DeleteLovely looking and interesting collection! I'll add it to my list for the next time I'm in Florence, didn't know Mirliton were based there, something else to add to the list!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Two places to visit on your next trip to Florence! Wish I had know Mirliton was in Florence. I do now!
DeleteMirleton SG are actually based in Tavarnuzze a small town not far from Florence. The shop was in the middle of a housing estate!
DeleteNeil
Have you visited Mirliton HQ, Neil?
DeleteJonathan, as in comments above, only stood outside the (closed) shop - in the days before everything was on line, no way to check opening hours....
DeleteNeil
Fine pictures: thanks for sharing. Seeing (and handling, if possible) the actual artifacts provides so much more insight into the era (and hobby) than even the best Osprey can convey. Always worth the tip to see such things!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Glad you enjoyed the photos. Nothing beats seeing the artifacts in person and from every angle.
DeleteSuch wonderful specimens, glad you were able to photograph them so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Even taking the photos through glass cases, the details came out well.
DeleteThat's some amazing armor and other items, captured in superb pictures. For a group tour, the price isn't so outrageous - just need at least 4 people going! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is really a nice collection. One wonders what the entire collection must look like on display. Someday, I ought to return to Florence to see firsthand.
DeleteSome great photos there Jon of stunning craftsmanship right across the board. We are lucky in that the V&A museum in London has a great section on Japanese arms and armour, as well as vases etc. Ditto on Chinese work too IIRC. The level of detail is almost too much to take in, even on one suit of armour. I think some of the stuff there was 'parade armour', with the actual armour used in battle being somewhat simpler. The big advantage of the museum is that it is free entry and not that busy either:)!
ReplyDeleteSteve, you are lucky to have such great collections nearby. I would love to visit some of your great museums one day.
DeleteWhat a sensational exhibition! The intricacies and detail are beautifully evident in your excellent photos. Must be *amazing* to see them in the exhibition.
ReplyDeleteAdded to which, a painting guide in your own back yard.
Regards, James
Yes, I was quite happy to see this exhibit come to town. There will be complementary activities running alongside the exhibit including movies, demos, etc.
DeleteA wider selection of higher quality military objects than I have seen in any one museum in Japan - but then again, I have not been to many. I think Steve J may be right in an earlier comment that most of the objects in this collection and on display elsewhere were high class weapons and armour for domain lords and such like figures. Ordinary samurai would have had more basic kit while most of the people who got killed would have had very little kit indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis surprises me that this is a larger collection than you found in Japan. This is only a small sampling from the much larger collection at the Stibbert. The armor and weapons on display certainly look like high quality works and not meant for the masses.
DeleteBrilliant and interesting looking exhibition.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I may go back for a second look on one of the extra activity days.
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