Japanese armour and minibeasts
“Withered grass
up to the eyes
of the praying mantis”
Seishi Yamaguchi (1874-1959), poet
Insects are popular symbols in Japanese culture. The Praying Mantis is a sign of cunning and power. It sits in wait for its prey, mirroring the power and grace of a Samurai sword.
For many Samurai clans, the butterfly represented eternity. It was believed that spirits of the dead took the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world and eternal life.
The Samurai Crab (Heikeopsis japonica) has a shell pattern resembling a face of an angry warrior. It is locally believed that these crabs are reincarnations of the spirits of defeated samurai warriors.
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A long Japanese sword known as katana, an iconic symbol of the samurai tradition. It is in a black lacquered scabbard. The handguard (tsuba) is made of chiselled iron, fitted with gilt and copper rims. The blade is signed Yamato No Kuni Fujiwara Ujinaga. Japan, 19th century. Read here and here about katanas and samurai traditions.
Manchester Museum, T.1880