Samurai review: Japan's lethal warrior class are shown in all their sexy, demonic glory

In Japan's pre-modern era, the samurai elite were not just warriors, but artists, philosophers, and patrons of the arts, with a culture that was both brutal and beautiful. Their legendary armor is still awe-inspiring today, with its intricately designed crests and menacing facemasks. The helmets adorned with eagles, dragons, and other mythical creatures seem to hold a presence all their own.

As we delve into the world of these ancient warriors, it becomes clear that they were not just feared for their prowess on the battlefield, but also admired for their artistry and cultural sophistication. Samurai armor was no mere tool of war, but a work of art that reflected their status and power.

The exhibition showcases some of the most exquisite examples of samurai armor, including a 17th-century suit adorned with bullet-proof cuirass and a stunning helmet with an eagle crest. These masterpieces are not just relics of a bygone era, but a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans.

Beyond their fearsome reputation, samurai were also known for their love of nature, art, and literature. They were patrons of the arts, and their culture was deeply influenced by Shintoism and Buddhism. The exhibition highlights this softer side of the samurai, with images of warriors enjoying poetry, music, and dance.

However, it is the darker aspects of samurai culture that ultimately give this exhibition its edge. Their brutal battles and willingness to die in combat are tempered only by their capacity for artistic expression and cultural refinement. It's a complex and often contradictory legacy that the exhibit attempts to convey.

In the end, the show's finale feels somewhat underwhelming, with the introduction of modern-day samurai being less than convincing. Instead, it is the portraits in steel, silk, and lacquer that truly come alive, their beauty and menace still holding us entranced today. The ghosts of dead warriors inside their empty suits remain the true heart of this extraordinary encounter – a reminder of what it means to be human, and how even our darkest impulses can be transformed into something beautiful and transcendent.

omg u no what's up with samurai armor tho? they're like super intimidating but also works of art lol i mean who else puts bullet proof cuirass on a suit of armor? and those helmets w/ eagles & dragons though... they look like straight outta a fantasy movie gotta respect the craftsmanship of these ancient japanese artisans. but what's up w/ the dark side tho? samurai were all about honor & loyalty, but also brutally kill ppl on demand anyway, I think the show's finale was kinda meh, but those portraits in steel/silk/lacquer tho... they're still giving me chills

I love how they're showcasing the softer side of samurai culture ! I mean, who knew these guys were also into poetry and music? Their artistry is seriously impressive . But at the same time, it's crazy to think about the brutal battles they fought for their honor . It's like, how can something so beautiful (like that eagle-crested helmet) be created from something so dark? The exhibit feels like a reflection of who we are as humans - all our flaws and contradictions . And yeah, the finale could've used a bit more punch, but overall it's a mind-blowing show !

I'm so touched by the story behind these ancient samurai armor pieces... It's like they're not just inanimate objects, but vessels for the souls of people who lived such complex lives. The fact that they were both fierce warriors and art patrons is just mind-blowing. And to see how their culture was influenced by Shintoism and Buddhism, it's like you can feel the depth of their spirituality. I love how the exhibition tries to show the softer side of samurai culture, but also acknowledges the darker aspects of their legacy. It's a reminder that even in the most brutal times, there is always beauty to be found. Those helmets with eagles and dragons are just so stunning... they're like something out of a fantasy novel!

The samurai armor is straight fire , I mean have you seen those helmets?! They're like nothing I've ever seen before. It's wild that these guys weren't just warriors, but also artists and philosophers. Their culture was so complex and nuanced. I love how the exhibit highlights both their brutal side and their softer side, it's like they were human beings with flaws and contradictions. The way the armor is all intricate and detailed is insane, it's like a work of art in itself . And yeah, that finale did feel a bit underwhelming, but I think it's because they tried to bring the modern-day samurai into it, which didn't quite fit with the rest of the exhibit . But overall, it was an incredible experience and the armor is just wow

I'm totally blown away by this exhibition on Japanese samurai armor! It's like stepping into a time machine where you can see the brutal and beautiful side of these ancient warriors up close. The level of craftsmanship and artistry that went into creating those helmets, suits, and accessories is just mind-blowing .

I love how it highlights the complex legacy of samurai culture – from their fearsome reputation to their love of nature, art, and literature. It's like they were these contradictions wrapped in steel armor . The show really makes you appreciate the beauty in both sides of human nature, even if one side is a little darker than the other.

The finale feels a bit incomplete for me, but that's just because I wanted more! Those modern-day samurai bits felt a bit tacked on, and it would've been awesome to see more of those historical portraits up close. But honestly, even with the underwhelming finale, this exhibition still left an incredible impression on me .

I mean, you gotta see these old samurai armor pieces in person - they're like nothin' else! The attention to detail is insane, from the tiny little dragons on some of 'em to the intricate designs on their helmets. And can we talk about how beautiful they are? I mean, sure, they were built for war and all that, but it's hard not to be in awe of someone who could make somethin' as gorgeous as a suit of armor.

And what I love is seein' the other side of these guys - the ones who weren't just about fightin', but also about art, music, and poetry. It's like they were multi-dimensional or somethin'. And yeah, it's true that their culture was all about contradictions - brutal yet beautiful, fierce yet refined... it's like they're still teachin' us somethin' today.

The show could've ended a bit stronger, imo, but I think that's just nitpickin' . The whole thing is still really impressive and thought-provokin'. If you get the chance to check it out, I'd def recommend it!

I gotta say, people are gonna love or hate this exhibition. Some'll find it mesmerizing, while others will think it's all just a bunch of armor and pretty pictures. But let me tell you, there's something eerie about those samurai helmets - they're like little works of art that also happen to be death traps .

And yeah, the show does gloss over some of the more brutal aspects of samurai culture, but I think that's a good thing. It's not all about blood and guts; it's about the complexities of human nature too. We're messy, contradictory creatures, just like those samurai were.

The modern-day stuff at the end does feel a bit tacked on, but honestly? Who needs it? The old armor is where it's at - that's what this exhibition should be about in the first place .

[Image of a samurai helmet with an eagle crest, surrounded by a halo of light]

[Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury in perfect sync, with a "galaxy warrior" vibe]

[A video clip of Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai", with a "warrior poet" tag on top]

[Image of a samurai helmet, with the words " bullet-proof and beautiful" written in bold font]

I'm so obsessed with samurai armor!!! I mean, can you believe these guys were artists and philosophers too?!? Their helmets are like works of art, dude! The way they incorporated mythological creatures like eagles and dragons is straight fire . And the craftsmanship?!?! It's insane how they managed to make these suits bullet-proof back in the 17th century . I'm also loving this exhibit because it shows that samurai weren't just brutal warriors, but also had a softer side when it came to nature, art, and literature . But, let's be real, their darker legacy is what really gets me . Like, these guys were willing to die in combat, but they could also write beautiful poetry . It's like, how can something so brutal be tied to something so beautiful?!? The only thing that would make this exhibit better is if they had more modern-day samurai, but I guess the portraits of steel, silk, and lacquer are enough to hold my attention

omg u gotta see dis exhibition ! samurai armor is literally the most beautiful thing ive ever seen - i mean, its not just about being tough & fierce, its like a work of art ! i loved how they showed how samurai werent just warriors but also artists & patrons of the arts . and can we talk about how cool their helmets are with eagles & dragons on them?! . i think its really interesting how they tried to balance out the brutal side of samurai culture with their love of nature, art, & literature .

but what really got me was when they showed all these portraits in steel, silk, and lacquer... it was like u could feel the history and emotion behind them . its crazy to think that even tho they died, their spirit lives on through these beautiful pieces of art . i felt like u were right there with samurai, experiencing everything they did !