In the case of Japanese arms & armor, most of what is available outside of
Japan is from the era of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  During that period (early
1600s-1868? I think), the laws required that nobles maintain a set number of
retainers with armor, weapons, clothing, etc., according to the nobleman's
rank.  They then had to march a retinue with all the cost of their travel &
lodging to Edo every a year.  The expense kept the nobles from amassing the
wealth necessary to actually field an army & go to war.  It had the reverse
effect of making war & rebellion against the shogun unfeasible.  Very clever
on the part of the shoguns.    Of course, there were still duels among the
samurai, but it was a remarkably peaceful time on the whole.

We have several suits of Japanese armor from that time period in our
collections, & there's not a sword nick on any of them.  Some of the parade
helmets would be totally useless in battle.  They're beautifully made,
however.  The sumptuary laws funded an entire economy of craftsmen.

There are others out there with a lot more knowledge of Japanese military &
social history who could be of assistance in this.  I hope one of them will
respond to you more fully than this.

Deborah G. Harding
Collection Manager
Section of Anthropology
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
412-665-2608
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Gretchen Ranger [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 12:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Exhibiting weapons


Hi Everyone!
    I've got a question for you. I'm doing a paper on the display of arms
and armor (Japanese) and am looking for resources on the issue of displaying
beautiful objects which have a very grim purpose - killing. I'd like to know
how other people have dealt with the issue of violence in their exhibits.
Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
-Gretchen Ranger

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