The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum currently features the exhibit Samurai … The Warrior Horsemen of Japan showing through Nov. 1 at the museum, and a special event featuring two talks about the exhibit is scheduled for Oct. 10. The History and Mystique of the Samurai and His Sword will include a talk by Dr. Luke Roberts of UCSB, titled Samurai Life During the Edo Period: Arms and Letters at 5:30 p.m. followed by a wine reception. The evening concludes with the talk The Arms and Armor of Japan’s Supreme Warrior by Michael Yamasaki and Darin Furukawa, which begins at 7 p.m.
Yamasaki may be familiar to anyone who has seen the History Channel show Pawn Stars, as the Japanese sword dealer has appeared on the show offering his expertise. Furukawa is an artist, educator, and samurai arts specialist. Roberts’ focus is Japanese history, specifically on the period between the 1500s and the early 1900s.
The exhibit Samurai … The Warrior Horsemen of Japan showcases the collection of local resident Steven Graves, who purchased the 10 suits of samurai armor in the exhibit across several years’ worth of travel to and from Japan. The exhibit is open for viewing on Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. through Nov. 1 at the museum. Admission is $4. More information is available at santaynezmuseum.org.
