Seeing the Samurai: A Japanese Diplomatic Gift

In 1613, a remarkable suit of samurai armour was sent by Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada, military ruler of Japan, to King James I of England. This diplomatic gesture marked the beginning of formal relations between Japan and Britain, accompanied by a document granting the British rights to trade and settle in Japan.

An impressive and costly present, it is made from silk lacing joining small iron pieces to create a flexible and lightweight covering. Remarkably, it still has its original blue and red silk—an exceptional preservation, as the material is so fragile it often has to be replaced.

The helmet includes a raised area at the rear to accommodate the samurai hairstyle, with hair in a queue or topknot. With its fearsome face mask, the armour evokes the dignified culture of the samurai elite, who for some 700 years ruled Japan on behalf of the imperial family. 

Watch our film to discover more about the amazing armour.