Lords of the Samurai

Kumamoto Castle, by Akahoshi Kan'i (1835–1888), Japan. Meiji period (1868–1912), 19th century. Hanging scroll; ink and colors on paper. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 1028. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Sake bottle and food box set (sagejū) in the shape of an eggplant, by Hosokawa Sansai (aka Tadaoki, 1563–1646), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Lacquered wood. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 6535. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Noh costume, Kariginu robe with design of cherry blossoms and rafts, Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 18th century. Silk complex gauze (ro) with silk supplementary weft patterning. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4911. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Black teabowl, raku ware, by Hosokawa Morihiro (born 1938), Japan. Heisei period (1989–), 2007. Glazed earthenware. Collection of the artist, H2. © Shinchōsha Publishing Co, Ltd. Photo by Nonaka Akio.

Oyoroi-type armor (replica), white cord lacing with diagonal corner accents (tsumadori), replica of a suit worn by Hosokawa Yoriari (1332–1391), Japan. Edo period, 1829 (after 14th century original). Iron, metal, leather, lacquer, silk, gilt bronze. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4082. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Domaru gusoku-type armor, red cord lacing, worn by Hosokawa Nobunori (1676–1732), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 18th century. Iron, leather, lacquer, silk, and gilt metal. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4098. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Haramaki-type armor, black leather lacing, red cord horizontal accent lacing (katadori) on shoulder protectors, worn by Hosokawa Narimori (1806–1861), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 19th century. Iron, leather, lacquer, silk, and gilt metal. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4111. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Tosei gusoku-type armor, black leather-wrapped lames; dark blue cord lacing, worn by Hosokawa Morihisa (1839–1893), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 19th century. Iron, leather, lacquer, and silk. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4122. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Military helmet with purple lacing and decoration in the form of a headband, worn by Hosokawa Tadatoshi (1586–1641), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Iron, paper, lacquer, braided silk. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4134. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Portrait of Hosokawa Sumimoto (1489–1520), by Kanō Motonobu (1476–1559); inscription by Keijo Shūrin (1440–1518), Japan. Muromachi period (1392–1573), 1507. Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 466. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Military banner with bands and nine planet family crest, used by Hosokawa Yoshikuni (1835–1876), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 19th century. Dyed silk. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 4233. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Ceremonial long sword (tachi) blade, signed “Moriie zo” (Made By Moriie), Japan. Kamakura period (1185–1333), 13th century. Forged and tempered steel. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 1784. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Mounting for a ceremonial long sword (tachi) with nine planet family crests and gold fittings, Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 19th century. Lacquered wood with sprinkled gold (makie) decoration, gilt bronze, gold, ray skin, leather. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 2924-1. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Mounting for a short sword (wakizashi) with spiriling bands, Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th–18th century. Lacquer, lacquered wood, gilt bronze, ray skin, iron, gold, copper alloy, braided silk. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 2906. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Sword guard (tsuba) with design of torn fans and cherry blossoms, by Hayashi Matashichi (1613–1699), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Iron with gold inlay. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 1796. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Sword guard (tsuba) in the shape of a of dancing crane, by Hayashi Matashichi (1613–1699), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Iron openwork with gold inlay. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 1794. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Surcoat (jinbaori) with horizontal bands, worn by Hosokawa Narishige (1759–1836), Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), late 18th century. Wool (rasha); silk satin lampas with gilded paper weft patterning (kinran). Eisei-Bunko Museum, 6940. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

Western-style bell with nine planet family crest, made in memory of Hosokawa Gratia (1563–1600), Japan. Momoyma period (1573–1615), approx. 1602. Cast bronze. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 7271. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.

The Book of Five Rings (Gorin no sho), five volumes, by Terao Katsunobu, Japan. Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Set of five handscrolls; ink on paper. Eisei-Bunko Museum, 774. © Eisei Bunko, Japan.