Step Into Samurai Japan: Art, Armor, and Ancient Swords Unveiled!

A fascinating exhibition featuring samurai-era Japanese artworks and arms is set to open at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley. Among the highlights is a traditional woodblock print titled 'Grace Wood Yorkshire Bridge at Fukui' by the renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai. This print beautifully depicts a scenic town by the water, with a curved wooden bridge crossing a river and several people walking across it. On one side, a large torii gate and a stone lantern stand near willow trees, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the scene.

The exhibition focuses on the rich history of Japan during the time of the samurai. Visitors will have the chance to see works by famous artists such as Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, as well as a sword that dates all the way back to 1200AD. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a collection of woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, which translates to 'pictures of the floating world. ' These prints were mostly collected by prominent Bradford businessmen who were involved in the city's thriving textile industry during the 19th century. The ukiyo-e prints showcase landscapes, actors, courtesans, and warriors from the Edo period, which lasted from 1780 to 1867. Some of the prints feature female warriors and Saigo Takamori, who is remembered as the last samurai.

The exhibition also includes arms and armor from the collection of Colonel HA Foster, who was the managing director of John Foster Ltd at Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury. Foster traveled to Japan on his yacht, Portia, bringing wool from his mills and developing a deep interest in Japanese history. He donated his collection to Bradford Council's Museum Collection in 1923 after moving home with his new wife, who did not share his passion for Japanese artifacts. The display features weapons that are more than 800 years old, including a sword with a golden scabbard decorated with intricate floral patterns and a stylized lion-like face. There are also decorative metal fittings and leather straps attached to the mount.

Another major part of the exhibition comes from George and Ronald Priestman, a father and son who donated nearly all of the ukiyo-e prints in the gallery. The Cliffe Castle exhibition is part of a collaboration between the BBC and the British Museum, marking the release of the BBC Arts series 'Civilisations: Rise and Fall,' which begins in November. The exhibition will run from 8 November to 1 March 2026. Many of the treasures on display were collected by industrialists, including intricately carved ivory netsuke showing a seated figure with a peach and a small creature resembling a kappa. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the art and history of samurai-era Japan and learn about the people who collected these remarkable items.