Japan’s Warrior Government

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• Who is depicted in this sculpture?

• What is he doing?

• How was this object made?

• What do you see that makes you say that?

• Why was this figure important to samurai?

Seated Buddha Amitabha (Japanese: Amida). Japan. Heian period (794–1185). Lacquer and gold on wood. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60S10+.

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Taming the Ox, by Sekkyakushi, active in early 1400s. Japan. Muromachi period (1333–1573). Hanging scroll, ink on paper. Transfer from the Fine Arts Museum, Gift of Ney Wolfskill Fund, B69D46.

• What happening in this painting?

• Why would this picture have appealed to the samurai?

• What do you see that makes you say that?

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Matchlock pistol (bajozutsu). Japan. Edo period (1615–1868). Iron, wood, lacquer, gold, and silver. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. William Wedemyer, 2004.39.

• What is this object?

• What might it symbolize?

• What do you see that makes you say that?

Matchlock pistol (detail; 2004.39).

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Palanquin, 1800–1868. Japan. Edo period (1615–1868). Lacquer, gold and mother of pearl on wood, and metal. Gift of Norma C. and Jack D. Tomlinson, B85M7.

• What is this object?

• What was its function?

• What do you see that makes you say that?

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Traveling chest, 1800–1868. Japan. Edo period (1615–1868). Lacquer and gold on wood; metal fittings, locks, and handles. Gift of Norma C. and Jack D. Tomlinson, 1991.127.

• What is this object?

• What was its function?

• What do you see that makes you say that?