Travel back in time to the world of samurai craftsmanship with Michael Yamasaki, a leading samurai arts specialist and founder of Jidai Arts. This special program will be a rare opportunity to experience authentic samurai culture up close as Yamasaki shares selections from his remarkable private collection of swords and related artifacts.
During the program, Yamasaki will guide guests through the evolution of samurai swords, exploring their changing forms, aesthetics, and usage over centuries. He will introduce key artifacts from his collection, sharing the rich stories and historical significance behind each piece. Samurai armor specialist Darin S. Furukawa, co-founder and president of Jidai Arts, will join the discussion, offering his insights into the function and aesthetics of samurai armor.
For over a millennium, the samurai class evolved from warriors to political leaders and eventually administrators during centuries of peace, shaping Japanese society along the way. Swords were central to samurai identity, functioning not just as highly effective weapons on the battlefield, but as symbols of honor and identity within a complex social hierarchy. As the role of samurai transformed, so did their swords, from practical combat tools to prestigious status symbols, with master swordsmiths continuously refining both functional design and artistic expression (to learn more, read a new article about the history and artistry of samurai culture). Though the samurai class was officially dissolved in the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and was thereafter banned from carrying swords, the remarkable tradition of Japanese sword craftsmanship endures today, preserved by dedicated artisans who keep this legacy alive, along with passionate scholars, collectors, and fans around the world.
Together, Michael and Darin will share their extensive knowledge and expertise as a curators and consultants, offering unique insights into the cultural and artistic significance of swords and samurai armor, as well as the appraisal and understanding these exceptional works of art. Join us for an exciting afternoon witnessing and celebrating the long legacy of samurai art and culture.
*The collection will be on display at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, Level 5 Salon, until 5:00 PM (PDT). Guests are welcome to walk in and enjoy the exhibit.
About the Speakers
Michael Yamasaki
Michael Yamasaki is one of the world’s leading authorities on samurai arts and the founder of Tetsugendo, a bespoke supplier of investment grade samurai antiquities. He also co-founded Jidai Arts, a non-profit focused on introducing young people to the rewarding world of Japanese Culture.
Mike works directly with the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai), a Japanese governmental organization dedicated to the preservation of the …
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Japanese Art Sword, and is a founding board member for the US branch of the NBTHK. In 1998, at the NBTHK’s 40th Anniversary National Sword Convention, he took 5th place out of over 200 participants at the “kantei-kai” (sword identification challenge). And at the NBTHK National convention in September 2001, he became the first-ever non-Japanese national to win the All Japan event. The history of the Japanese sword is intertwined with the history of Japan; the two are inseparable. To understand the history of Nihonto is to understand the history Japan.
Darin S. Furukawa
Darin S. Furukawa is the co-founder and president of Jidai Arts, a non-profit organization committed to sharing the culture and artifacts of Japan’s samurai with the world. An artist and educator, Darin specializes in the armor of the samurai. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Art History, with a focus on medieval Japan. He served as the U.S. Regional Director for Samurai Store International, where he worked with the hand-crafted armors of Marutake Sangyo, whose pieces can be seen in the films of Akira Kurosawa …
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and in Japanese Period Dramas. Darin has, over the past 17 years, curated numerous exhibitions of samurai art throughout the U.S., and has lectured in venues ranging from public schools to national museums.
Special Thanks to
Related Exhibition
NEO-JAPONISM | SAMURAI AND BEYOND: Exploring Tradition Through Technology
Dates
Fri. Feb. 14 – Mon. Sep. 1, 2025
Hours
Mon. – Fri. | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat. – Sun. | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location
JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Fee
Free
