Along the Tsuboi River near the castle, sit five bronze statues of heroes of the Meiji Restoration, which in 1867 led to the abolition of the samurai class and Japan’s rapid drive towards ...

Photo: Brad Flowers For nearly 700 years, samurai were Japan’s social elite, skilled not only in combat but also in politics and the courtly arts. To equip these warriors in accordance with ...

When the Taira were finally defeated, Yoritomo went on to found Japan’s first warrior ... the bronze figure remains, sitting outside ever since. Painting and sculpture reflected the influential roles ...

The samurai officially hung up their helmets after Japan’s last shogun, or military ruler, fell in 1868, but “the way of the warrior” lives on in the artistry of their armorers.