Items · JackMcManusVirtualGallery · DMXR Digital Content Management

Arts Council England is a government-funded body dedicated to promoting the performing, visual and literary arts in England. Since 1994, Arts Council England has been responsible for distributing lottery funding.

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Japanese miniature samurai helmet.

This Samurai helmet is one of a group of 12 copies of famous historical pieces, aquired by in 1929 by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester on a visit to present the Order of the Garter from King George V to the Showa Emperor.

Mori clan armour.

This suit of armour brands the crest of the Mori clan, a Japanese samurai clan descended from Ōe no Hiromoto. Ōe no Hiromoto was descended from the Fujiwara clan. The Fujiwara was one of the four greatest and largest families in Japan, hugely involved in politics during the Heian Period (794–1185). This armour is described to be of exceptionally high quality, belonging to the class of 'warriors'. The warrior armour and other items were displayed to visualise their power and prestige over other clans, a form of intimidation. Japanese armour shows technical changes over time. The skirt was added as mounted combat fell out of favour at the end of the 14th century. At this point, many examples of Japanese armour become so artistic as to be rendered entirely non-functional.

Omi hakkei (Eight Views of Omi Province)

This colour wodblock print depicts a beautiful landscape, the artist Hasegawa Sadanobu created this piece on paper through the art of woodblock painting; displaying two landscapes in ones piece and framing them accordingly. The title lists the Ōmi Province, a province of Japan, which today comprises Shiga Prefecture. It was one of the provinces that made up the Tōsandō circuit.

Dish: Reimei 黎明 (Dawn).

This large circular dish is crafted from porcelain, glazed in blue, green and yellow to create a gradient artwork that may mirror its title: Dawn, meaning the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise. The glazes flow across this dish, Tokuda used the traditional colours of the Kutani-style glazes of his region. He was the third generation in a family of potters and Tokuda was made a Living National Treasure in 1997, for his work on colourful porcelain glazes.

Katana (long sword) blade.

The Katana blade is forged from steel, signed and dated by its creator: Kawachi no kami Sukesada (河内守祐定). Its careful creation is protected inside the sheath: crafted from makie lacquered wood and decorated with gilded copper braid and silver. This sword is from the Eisho era, dating from 1504 to 1521.