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Museum of Fine Arts, Boston opens Samurai! Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presents Samurai! Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection an exhibition on view from April 14 through August 4, 2013.

Armor of the nimaitachidō type (nimaitachidō tōsei gusoku) Attributed Myōchin Yoshimichi (helmet bowl); Myōchin Munenori (armor) Muromachi period, about 1400 (helmet bowl); mid-Edo period, 18th century (armor) (detail)
Armor of the nimaitachidō type (nimaitachidō tōsei gusoku) Attributed Myōchin Yoshimichi (helmet bowl); Myōchin Munenori (armor) Muromachi period, about 1400 (helmet bowl); mid-Edo period, 18th century (armor) (detail)

The exhibition, will showcase more than 140 works from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection of Dallas, Texas, one of the finest holdings of samurai armor in the world. Among the works featured will be 21 full suits of armor, including one formerly owned by the Yoshiki branch of the Mōri clan, a prominent family whose origins date to the 12th century. Special highlights of the exhibition will include three life-size horses clad in armor to illustrate the pageantry of samurai and their mounts in battle or procession, and a dramatically lit, jewel-box display of beautifully detailed helmets and masks. Samurai! is presented with supporting sponsorship from Highland Street Foundation. It is organized by The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas, in collaboration with the MFA, Boston.

The collection of armor reflects the Barbier-Muellers’ interest in the samurai, a passion that has spanned 25 years and has prompted the sharing worldwide of their works through this exhibition. Previously, Samurai! was on view at the musée du quai Branly in Paris and at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City. After its presentation in Boston, the exhibition will continue to various US-based museums. Through its traveling exhibitions and the recent opening of The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection in Dallas, the collection has been viewed by nearly 700,000 visitors to date.

The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For more information, visit www.mfa.org or call 617.267.9300. The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.