For more than a century, the Japanese Arms and Armor Gallery has captured the imagination of visitors of all ages with its extraordinary samurai armor, intricate craftsmanship, and stories of honor and tradition. George Walter Vincent Smith’s collection of nearly 500 examples of Japanese arms and armor is among the most extensive of its kind and represents centuries of artistry and innovation.

Acquired between 1888 and 1901, the collection includes samurai swords, blades, armor, helmets, pole arms, firearms, horse trappings, ceremonial objects, and decorative works created by master artisans. Some swords feature elegantly simple steel blades, while others showcase elaborate fittings, lacquered scabbards, and intricate metalwork. Highlights include six complete suits of armor, including a 16th-century suit belonging to the Daimyo of Arima and signed by members of the renowned Miochin armorer family.

Beyond weapons and armor, the gallery reveals the artistry and symbolism of Japanese craftsmanship through objects such as a detailed silver incense burner and an elaborate Shinto wheel shrine, created over 15 years by generations of artisans. Each object tells a story of tradition, skill, and the remarkable creativity of the people who made and used them.