The curved steel blades gleamed in the soft gallery lighting, as sharp and vicious-looking as when each was forged hundreds of years ago.
The swords were the primary weapons of the samurai, the Japanese warrior class. But in addition to being tools of war, the items were intricately designed, with expert etching, innovative design and personalized adornments. Each sword was a work of art.
“All of these pieces were very much functional pieces. A sword is a weapon, it has a purpose. All of the pieces, all of the different fittings, serve a purpose on that blade. As such, they could have looked like anything, as long as they worked,” said Darin Furukawa, president of Jidai Arts and a sword expert. “But the Japanese artists were able to elevate these pieces into aesthetic works that transcend that utilitarian function.”
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That beauty and artistry is the focus of “Nihonto: The Samurai Sword,” an impactful new exhibition at Newfields, home of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. For the first time in Indiana, and one of the few times in the US, people can take in hundreds of years of history of these Japanese swords, learning more about the weapons’ role in war and society.
The exhibition will also include finely lacquered scabbards, impossibly detailed fittings and sword guards called tsuba, including one of only 26 remaining guards crafted by the famous samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi in the 17th century.
Many of the items on exhibit have never been on public display before, and a number of the blades have been classified as important or especially important cultural treasures by Japan.
“To have a show like this within the United States is highly unbelievable. To have it here in Indianapolis is a tremendous opportunity for the people in the community,” said John Teramoto, the curator of Asian art at Newfields.
Stepping into the museum’s Asian gallery, visitors to “Nihontō” are bought face-to-face with two gently curved swords in flawless rust-red scabbards. Walking past that initial display, people are immersed in the artistry of the samurai sword.
They pass by a showcase showing each step in the sword-making process, from the raw metal to the expertly shaped and honed finality of the blade. Displays give examples of swords crafted in the primary artistic eras.
The way the blades are oriented invites people to look closely at the way the light hits it, to truly appreciate the art behind the swordmaking, Furukawa said.
“Each one has different forging technique, which in turn creates a different aesthetic in the steel itself that you can see and appreciate,” he said.
“Nihontō” is part of Newfields’ Seasons of Japan, a yearlong campaign focused on aspects of Japanese art and culture such as tea, fashion, visual art and food.
The exhibition, which opened on May 10, is composed almost entirely of items from Jidai Arts, a California-based company dedicated to sharing the culture and artifacts of Japan’s samurai with the world.
“We were very excited to share this important cultural opportunity with the greater Indiana community,” Furukawa said. “Most people don’t have a chance to see items of this sort in their everyday life, so to bring some education around it and hopefully foster an appreciation for it means a lot to us.”
One of the swords was already in Newfields’ collection, though it was in such poor condition that Teramoto was unsure it could be saved. The team at Jidai Arts was able to restore it flawlessly. A suit of samurai armor, also belonging to Newfields, is on display as well.
“We had some swords that I thought were pretty beat up, not worth much, but Mike and Darrin came and said that these aren’t so bad,” Teramoto said. “We had a lot of sword guards that they were able to go through. This all came together from friendship and trust through that relationship.”
The story of the Japanese samurai sword is a fascinating one. The swords had been crafted for centuries in Japan, the practical and symbolic weapon of the ruling military elite. The more intricate and ornate the weapon was, the more prestige it conveyed when samurai passed by.
Many of the weapons were passed down by families over generations until the mid-1940s. After World War II, many of the swords were destroyed, while others were brought back to the U.S. by military members.
“A lot of them are still here — we find them occasionally, very good swords out in the boondocks,” said Michael Kaufman, a collector and Japanese sword expert with Jidai Arts.
But modern appreciation of the sword centers around its artistic qualities, rather just as a weapon, said Mike Yamasaki, an expert appraiser of Japanese swords with Jidai Arts.
Technically, the sword in Japanese collecting refers to the blade of the weapon. The fittings, handle, sword guard and other aspects make up the rest of the total package.
“A lot of people are unaware of how much artistry goes into the sword and its fittings. It’s the art of the chisel, of carving. Most of the fittings are done by top-class carving artists or sculptors,” Yamasaki said. “There are several different artists that come together to creating the entire package.”
Display cases showcase the tsuba, which were carved or sculpted into incredible designs.
“These could have been a circle, they could have been a square, just something to block a sword parry. Instead, they were elevated to higher works of art,” Furukawa said.
A few special tsubas have their own focus, including some with hidden crosses that spoke to the ways Christians in Japan had to hide their faith.
Another, an elegant curved piece resembling two sea cucumbers signifying balance, is made by Miyamoto Musashi.
“To have an artifact such as this outside of Japan is very, very rare. Even in Japan these are very rare,” Yamasaki said. “He was Japan’s greatest swordsman. Because he was such, in a sense, a celebrity at the time, anything by Musashi was treasured.”
The way the exhibition is laid out, people get a full sense of the role sword-making has played in Japanese history. People will also have the opportunity to get hands-on with different items. A touch-table in one part of the exhibit allow people to handle some of the artifacts, such as a 200-year-old sword guard.
Those involved with the exhibit hope that while the subject matter of swords piques people’s curiosity, that they come away from their time with these items with a greater appreciation for the significance surrounding these blades.
“This is art. There is no other word to describe this,” Yamasaki said.
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All around central Indiana, cultural institutions have planned unique new exhibitions to attract visitors during the summer months. Here are some of the other cultural activities to check out in the coming months:
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
What: "Hot Wheels: Race to Win," a racing-centric exhibition offering kids the opportunity to design a turbocharged race car, discover the science that goes into high-speed racing and race down custom-made Hot Wheels tracks.
When: Through July 28
Where: 3000 N. Meridian St.
Additional information: The museum is also unveiling a pair of exhibition looking at the history and culture of Greece. "Treasures of Ancient Greece" will focus on antiquities and the heritage of the country, from myths to philosophers such as Plato and Socrates. "Take Me There: Greece" will explore the vibrancy of modern-day Greek culture. Both open on June 15.
Tickets: childrensmuseum.org
Indianapolis Zoo
What: Sloths and Snakes, the two new animals being featured at the zoo this year. The snake habitat inside the Deserts Dome has been redone to get visitors up close to new extreme snakes, including the infamous black mamba, Burmese python and poisonous snakes of Indiana. The sloths can be found in MISTery Park, the zoo’s new splash pad, where people can explore a foggy, cool mosaic of colorful flowers, mosses, trees and plants in addition to the adorable sloths.
When: Starting Saturday and ongoing throughout the summer
Where: 1200 W. Washington St.
Tickets: indianapoliszoo.com
Indiana State Museum
What: “It’s About Time: The Artwork of Felrath Hines," a tribute to the Hoosier native and abstract artist who used different shapes and colors to communicate. In addition, he also worked as an art conservator and restored his friend Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings.
When: June 22 to Sept. 29
Where: 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Tickets: indianamuseum.org
Eiteljorg Museum
What: "Bringing Friends Together: Contemporary Hopi Carvings," a showcase of the works of modern artists who have added details and depth to Hopi artwork.
When: Through July 28
Where: 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Additional information: In addition to "Bringing Friends Together," the Eiteljorg also has its exhibit "A Sense of Beauty: Showcasing the Power and Beauty in Native Art," featuring contemporary and customary Native art — including baskets, pottery, textiles, jewelry and glass — in innovative installations.
Tickets: eiteljorg.org
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"Nihontō: The Samurai Sword"
When: Through Nov. 3
Where: Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Museum hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Admission: $18 adults, $10 youth 6-17, free for kids 5 and under.
Information: discovernewfields.org
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