The Japanese Collection - Overview

This collection transports you back to the days of brave Japanese warriors and sword fighting, and demonstrates the beauty of Japanese craft and culture.  The Japanese Room is home to a selection of objects from an extensive collection of lacquer objects, armour, helmets and swords.  There are also other noteworthy objects in the collection which do not fall into these groups and are currently on display.  The earliest objects in the collection are three fascinating haniwa figures from the Kofun Period (250-552AD).  Haniwa, meaning "circle of clay," were initially simply large earthenware cylinders placed atop mound graves.  They evolved into decorative objects and large sculptural figures such as those in Denys's collection.  There will also be a new display opening in 2010 about tea ceremony, using specific objects from the collection.

Denys Eyre Bower grew up in a "collector's" world as his father was a knowledgeable collector of ancient Chinese porcelain.  It is therefore quite natural that his love of oriental art grew from there.  Japanese art also provided a particularly rewarding field for Denys' collecting as it was highly accessible during the beginning of the 20th century.  The Japanese Lacquer collection is arguably one of the finest in private collection in Western Europe and is perhaps one of Denys Bower's greatest achievements.

Discover what it was like to be a Japanese warrior and experience the art of origami and Japanese art, culture and combat at our special Summer Activity Days (See What's On).

Children can also dress up in a warrior or Japanese lady costume throughout the season in one of our designated activity rooms.