Samurai
Book •
Samurai (British Museum Press 2026) is a richly illustrated volume co-authored by exhibition curator Rosina Buckland (British Museum) and Oleg Benesch (York) to accompany the special exhibition "Samurai" at the British Museum 3 Feb - 4 May 2026.
More than a catalogue, Samurai uses the exhibit to explore the overlapping and diverging myths and histories of the samurai from medieval warriors to bureaucrats to global pop culture phenomena.
As the exhibition website observes, "The samurai is an iconic figure, evoking images of formidable fighters possessing ideals of courage, honour and self-sacrifice.
Yet much of what we think we know about samurai is invented tradition.
" Samurai is the kind of book that epitomizes how rigorous academic work can be transformed into effective public communication.
More than a catalogue, Samurai uses the exhibit to explore the overlapping and diverging myths and histories of the samurai from medieval warriors to bureaucrats to global pop culture phenomena.
As the exhibition website observes, "The samurai is an iconic figure, evoking images of formidable fighters possessing ideals of courage, honour and self-sacrifice.
Yet much of what we think we know about samurai is invented tradition.
" Samurai is the kind of book that epitomizes how rigorous academic work can be transformed into effective public communication.
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Mentioned as a richly illustrated volume co-authored by ![undefined]()
Rosina Buckland
Oleg Benesch
Rosina Buckland and Oleg Benesch, "Samurai" (British Museum, 2025)
Mentioned as a richly illustrated volume co-authored by ![undefined]()
Rosina Buckland
Oleg Benesch
Rosina Buckland and Oleg Benesch, "Samurai" (British Museum, 2025)
