About a dozen members and friends attended the private guided tour of the special exhibit “Lords of the Samurai” at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco on September 13. We got a closer look at not only 160 beautiful and historic artifacts like armor, clothing, painting, ceramics and calligraphy by important samurai, but also heard some history of the more famous samurai (both men and women). More than warriors, the samurai were writers and artists and the highest ranking class just below the Daimyo leaders. We got an intimate look at the activities of 600 years ago within the Hosokawa family (one of the most famous warrior clans of their time). After more than an hour of information and insight from our knowlegeable Japanese guide, we were able to go back on our own to spend more time in the special exhibit, as well as in the main museum. Many of us ate lunch at the cafeteria on site.

Thanks to Angie Fong for setting up this interesting event.