Portrait of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu by Kano Ryotaku. In this painting, Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu is represented as the deity Tosho Daigongen. © Nikko Toshogu Shrine / Royal Armouries. On loan from - Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Two Shinto priests from Japan are to safeguard the artefacts throughout a forthcoming exhibition at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.
This may sound like an extreme precaution, but these particular artefacts require a little extra protection, moreover a touch of divine security.
Coming to this country for the first time the elaborate fans, armours, weapons and battle screens of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s most famous shogun and a ‘living deity’ are leaving their sacred shrines to go on show at the Royal Armouries.
Armour of Ii Naotaka (1789 - 1812). Ii Naomasa (1561 - 1602) was one of Tokugawa Ieyasu's generals who began the tradition in the Ii family of wearing red lacquered armour with tall golden helmet crests. All subsequent members of the family had similar armour made. © Hikone Castle Museum / Royal Armouries. On loan from - Hikone Castle Museum.
According to museum director Peter Armstrong, the presence of the priests was a necessary step in securing this most significant and revered of loans.
"They’re not going to be standing over them with swords or anything, just making sure the artefacts that belong to one of their gods are ok," he told the 24 Hour Museum.
"These are national treasures, which are not normally allowed to leave the country," he said. "It’s a lot like if we decided to send all of our Henry VIII collections over to America for an exhibition, we’d want to know they were going to be looked after. So, its taken quite a lot of negotiation to get them."
Portraits of Tokugawa Ieyasu and two of his generals, Honda Tadakatsu (left) and Ii Naotaka (right). By Kobori Tomoto, c.1930. © Nikko Toshogu Shrine / Royal Armouries. On loan from - Nikko Toshogu Shrine
The inspiration for the famous James Clavell novel Shogun and the television series of the same name, Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu moulded the nation of Japan from a mass of warring families 400 years ago.
Appointed Shogun by the emperor following an illustrious and eventful military career that included the battle of Sekigahara at which 36,000 men were killed or wounded united Japan under his rule four centuries ago.
He established a dynasty, which held power and maintained peace in Japan for more than 250 years. After his death, a shrine was built to his honour at Nikko, which is now one of Japan’s most important and impressive cultural destinations, a world heritage site and has been twinned with the Royal Armouries since 1992.
War standard of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This standard, displayed on a 5m pole, was positioned next to Tokugawa Ieyasu during battle. © Kunozan Toshogu Shrine / Royal Armouries. On loan from - Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.
Items belonging to the shogun are now kept at this and other shrines across Japan. They’re never seen together and are rarely allowed to leave the country, but 50 of them will be on show in Leeds from June 6 2005 until August 30 as part of Shogun: The life of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The exhibition will tell his life story and explore the immense influence his reign has had on modern Japan.
Displayed alongside artefacts on loan from other UK museums and the Royal Armouries own collections, among the stunning objects over from Japan is the Shogun’s personal war standard. A stunning fan made from gilded paper and bamboo, it accompanied him to all major battles.
Tokugawa Ieyasu's sword boxes. His swords were destroyed in a 19th century fire. © Nikko Toshogu Shrine / Royal Armouries. On loan from - Nikko Toshogu Shrine
For Peter it represents quite a moment for the Royal Armouries: "I think it’s probably one of the most prestigious exhibitions we’ve had, not just in the size but in the artefacts themselves," he said.
"Most of them have never left Japan before and probably won’t again for the next 100 years."
As well as the objects on display, visitors will be treated to demonstrations of Yabusame (Japanese archery on horseback), martial arts, origami and calligraphy. There’ll also be a display of kimonos and a special feature on armour used in films, while much of the museum will be Japanese-themed.
